Union J star Jaymi Hensley has given his thoughts on whether being gay has had any effect on his band's success.

The 23-year-old singer told the Metro that he came out to family and friends when he was fourteen before stating it publicly during the X Factor last year.

He added that he hasn't seen any detrimental effect on Union J or their success following his proclamation at all. Hensley said:

"Me coming out has had no negative effect on our band at all. We’ve got a record deal and songs in the charts. If anything, it’s helped form a connection with fans. The fact I’ve been able to achieve this while being true to who I am might inspire other gay kids – it doesn’t matter what you look like or who you love, you can do whatever you want in life."

The singer added: "I remember when Will Young came out. I was gay, he was gay and I loved his music because when I listened to it, I could imagine him singing it to a man. It’s like that with Frank Ocean – it means something to me. Girls have this fantasy of meeting someone from a boy band but I never had that. Why shouldn’t I be out so gay kids can have those same emotions attached to a boy band?"

Hensley recently confirmed that he is due to marry his long-term partner Olly Marmon in 2015.

Union J's self-titled debut album meanwhile was released in the UK today (October 28).