'I feel so positive about this': Former TOWIE star Charlie King comes out as gay during live appearance on This Morning
Former The Only Way Is Essex star Charlie King has revealed that he is gay in a live interview on ITV's This Morning.
Speaking to presenters Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden in a segment focusing on the difficulties of coming out in 2014, the TV star revealed that he feels 'positive' in revealing the truth about his sexuality.
'Our stories will help people, there is a way out. You are not alone,' he said. 'I want to be a positive person, telling people "you can do this".'
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Brave: Former TOWIE star Charlie King decided to come out live on TV during an appearance on This Morning on Thursday
Charlie – who previously insisted he 'categorically' was not a 'gay man' during his stint on TOWIE – went on to reveal the moment he finally came to terms with his sexuality arrived when he was in a relationship with a woman.
He explained: 'I had a girlfriend, she was the first person I spoke to and told. It was a proper relationship but I was very aware when I was seeing her thing weren't quite right. If something doesn't click, it doesn't click.
'I feel so positive about this.'
Admission: Charlie appeared alongside journalist James Ingham, who discussed his own troubles with revealing his sexuality
Following his admission, Charlie received an outpouring of praise from fans on Twitter, who gave him a pat on the back for coming out in such a brave fashion.
Ian H Watkins of Steps fame was one of the first to congratulate him on the social networking site.
'Welcome to our fabulous family @CharlieKing85 !!! #OutAndProud #Equality #LGBT :0) xx @rucomingout,' he wrote.
However, his ex-girlfriend Gemma Collins took to Twitter to boast she always knew she was right about him.
Boast: TOWIE star Gemma Collins, who previously dated Charlie, wrote on Twitter that she already knew about his sexuality
Praise: Ian H Watkins was one of many to congratulate Charlie on Twitter for opening up about his sexuality
She wrote: 'I always SEE what other people don't and speak the TRUTH x (sic).'
She later tweeted: '@CharlieKing85 so brave and so proud of you for coming out when the time was right for you lots of love x.'
Fellow TOWIE co-star Ferne Mario Falcone wrote: 'Very proud of @CharlieKing85... Very brave! Well done mate xxx.'
Lauren Pope added: 'So proud of you @CharlieKing85 your such a genuine lovely guy and couldn't be happier for you.'
Former flames: Charlie briefly dated his TOWIE co-star Gemma Collins
Openly-gay Coronation Street actor Charlie Condou added: 'Well done @CharlieKing85 for coming out on @ITVthismorning A very brave thing to do. I'm proud of you fella x.'
Reporter James Ingham, who appeared on the This Morning couch with Charlie to discuss the difficulties of revealing one's homosexuality, wrote: 'Amazingly proud of what @CharlieKing85 has just done. Incredibly brave, genuine & loving guy. Took a lot of guts!'
During his time on the reality TV show, Charlie famously dated his co-star Gemma in 2012, before splitting when he found out she was sending racy text messages to Ricky Rayment.
When they split in April 2012, Charlie declared he 'wasn't Essex enough' for the brassy blonde.
Feeling positive: Charlie has chosen to come out as gay live on air, in order to help those who may feel apprehensive about telling others about their sexuality
Theirs was a notable romance, before he went on to briefly date co-stars Danni Park-Dempsey and Jasmin Walia until he quit the ITV2 show in 2013 to 'move on to other things'.
Charlie recently took part in BANG+STRIKE campaign, modelling designer underwear for the UK-based brand.
The handsome TV star, who is set to take a career change and become a presenter, showed off his gym-honed body and tattoos as he modelled pants for the likes of Emporio Armani, Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein.
Model man: There's no denying Charlie's model credentials as he took part in a recent campaign for UK-based underwear retailer BANG+STRIKE
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