Union J's George Shelley: I've had girlfriends... but I've also had boyfriends

Watch the YouTube video where George tells his fans that he likes both men and women. , external

Union J singer George Shelley has uploaded a video to his YouTube channel to tackle rumours about his sexuality.

In the clip, which lasts for a minute and a half, he admits that he's attracted to both men and women but that he doesn't want to label it as anything.

"I've had girlfriends that I've loved and they've been amazing periods of my life," he says.

"But I've also had boyfriends. And I just want you to know that whether I decide to be with a girl next or a guy next, it's because I love them and it shouldn't be a big deal.

"I don't want to make a big thing out of it when it happens and I don't want to be scared any more.

"I don't want to feel like I can't be myself because I'm worried about what somebody might be saying about me - or the label thing."

George was runner-up on the latest series of ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

In the jungle last year, he became close with fellow contestant Ferne McCann, which led to rumours about a possible romance in the newspapers.

He says that his time in Australia gave him lots of time to think about his life.

"I went into the jungle and it gave me a lot of time to reflect upon what's important to me," he says.

"And what's important to me is that I can be myself and I don't feel that I should hide anything.

"I've been reading a lot of speculation online as to whether I'm straight or gay or bi - and it's all these labels. It's a little bit old-fashioned.

"And this is why I'm not going to label it myself. It's not something I can feel that I can label.

"I've not changed. I'm still me. I'm still the same person I've always been. But like I said I'm just becoming a little bit less scared of being myself and that makes me quite happy."

The 22-year-old told Newsbeat last month that he was taking a break from music to concentrate on his "real passion", which is acting.

"I did X Factor because it's what I felt was right at the time. Acting has always been the thing that I have been into since I was a young though," he said.

"We're just waiting to hear back. It's been a good experience.

"I am staying in the band but just taking a bit of a left turn. I'm going back to what my real passion is."

George dressed as a policeman for a role in a BBC Three TV show., external

George recently appeared in series two of the BBC Three's improvised show, Successville.

Union J were formed on The X Factor in 2012 and released two studio albums before announcing they were going on a break.

"I think we are just doing the studio thing as and when," he said. "We are always writing and will always make music.

"At the moment we are just concentrating on our individual careers while at the same time keeping the band alive."

For more stories like this one you can now download the BBC Newsbeat app straight to your device. For iOS go here, external. For Android go here, external.