Will Young opens up about gay shaming and admits he 'says wrong thing all the time'

Will Young has opened up about his experiences with gay shaming in a candid Newsnight interview.

Speaking to Kirsty Wark on the BBC show, the former Pop Idol winner shared how he had been affected by comments about his sexuality and how he's learnt to deal with t.

"There's intentional homophobia and there's unintentional homophobia," mused Will.

"People get too muddled up with it and worry they'll say the wrong thing. Listen, I say the wrong thing the whole time and I'm so happy to be educated.

"Gay shame... just because you've grown up in a world where you feel, where the message is that you are wrong constantly, just because you come out doesn't mean that energy and thought in your body has gone away."

Will Young spoke on BBC Newsnight about gay shame (BBC)

The singer said sometimes he says the wrong thing but is 'happy' to be educated (BBC)

Will came out as gay when he was 23-years-old months after winning the first series of Pop Idol.

This week the Leave Right Now singer releases autobiographic book To Be A Gay Man, where he discusses his struggle to accept himself and why he hid his sexuality for so long.

In one chapter, Will reveals how he was left 'aghast' when former Radio 1 Breakfast host Chris Moyles poked fun at his homosexuality live on air.

DJ Chris changed the lyrics to Will's songs to spoof the fact that he was gay while putting on an effeminate voice.

Will Young recalls his horror at being teased by Chris Moyles live on the radio in his new book To Be A Gay Man (Daily Mirror)

Recalling the incident in his book, Will said: "BBC Radio 1 breakfast show DJ Chris Moyles decided to embark on a rampage of homophobia against me – on my birthday no less.

"It was something that left me aghast, especially as he and I were on friendly terms."

"It still makes me feel sad in a way, because it did affect how important I felt my sexuality was, and because I didn't stand up for myself," Will told The Sunday Times last month.

"So even though I was like, 'Oh, it doesn't matter', it did, actually. It was really bad. Really bad."

The singer rocketed to fame on Pop Idol in 2002 and came out as gay shortly after (PA)

In Chris' version of Will's Number One hit Leave Right Now he crooned : "Oooh Will Young here, mmmm. I'm here, it's Will's birthday and as the years go by I get more very gay.

"When you saw me years ago you didn't know, but now I'm the gayest fella you probably know.

Moyles was reprimanded by Ofcom for his rant who ruled it to have violated broadcast standards.