Singer Duncan James, who found fame as a part of boyband Blue, has opened up about his sexuality and the pressure surrounding 'coming out' in the modern age.

The 35-year-old hitmaker told London's Metro newspaper that it was "a massive relief" when he came out, but he still feels for people who find it difficult or challenging, because there isn't a widespread attitude of acceptance:

"Still to this day a lot of people are frightened to come out and there is a lot of stigma about it in certain countries but we’re much more accepting in Britain. Most people don’t give a s**t if you’re gay, straight or whatever but there are a lot of people who are still closeted and afraid to come out so I hope my little story will show you can do it and nothing bad’s going to happen."

"You can be proud of who you are regardless of who you have sex with – it shouldn’t mean anything. It’s hard to take that step to come out, I found it difficult, but it was a weight off my shoulders."

When asked about Antony Costa being broke after Blue initially disbanded, James confessed that he was lucky to be offered work although he couldn't say the same for his bandmate: "After Blue, I was fortunate enough to keep working and did musicals, a sitcom, Dancing On Ice, the National Lottery – I was lucky but Antony found it a struggle. The phone wasn’t ringing as much for him. If you’re not earning you’re not going to have any money."

Watch Blue's video for 'Hurt Lovers' here: