Blue's Lee Ryan denies homophobia after identity row with drag queen

Blue's Lee Ryan has denied accusations of homophobia after a row about gender identity with a drag queen on social media.

The 38-year-old boyband star was "called out" by drag artist Layla Zee Susan - real name Sam Sheperd - after Ryan stated on Instagram: "I might start identifying myself as an alien / star / seed / indigo child. Anything but human. Please respect my wishes."

Sheperd - a self-confessed fan of Ryan - commented on the post, pointing out that the comment could offend fans who do identify as a different gender and told the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant it was "nasty" and added, "You're being a bit of a d***."

The All Rise singer replied: “F*** off c***. Does that offend you?”

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Ryan has now told The Sun: "I’m bisexual and my bandmate is gay - I would never disrespect anyone like that.”

Blue's Duncan James came out as gay in 2014.

Ryan added: “I don’t really like the human race, I think they’re lost, especially what’s going on in the world.

"It was a harmless thing, I was basically saying I’m an alien. I wasn’t being offensive to anyone, unless you’re an alien. I didn’t say one thing about the LGBTQ+ community.”

Ryan admitted he had reacted aggressively to the comment, saying: “I told him to go f*** his dad with a pineapple. If he was in the street I’d slap him in the face. It wound me up that much. I would never hit a woman, but if you’ve got a d*** I’ll slap you, whether you’re in drag or not.”

Sheperd said in a statement posted on his Instagram stories: "His response isn't great in my opinion.

"I'm not a voice for non-binary and trans people but I'm trying to be a voice with that community.

"I hope that this can be a learning moment for everyone. That we all have the ability to be an ally to our trans and non-binary siblings - and that as a gay man and a drag queen I have a platform I can use to speak. It’s essential that, no matter how we identify in the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, we all stand up for each other, fight ignorance, and spread love.

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"I’m overwhelmed by the positivity I have received online since sharing my experiences. Whilst Lee Ryan’s reaction was both surprising and difficult, I want to encourage people to show kindness and to offer him the space to listen, grow and learn."

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