Although Elton John, the Su Pollard of rock and roll, was renowned for dressing up as Marie Antoinette and dripping with diamonds, a handful of fans were still stunned when he divorced his wife and told the world that he was gay in the 80s. But he's not the first star to have hidden his sexuality (and failed)...
Freddie Mercury's moustache-and-vest style is now a gay stereotype, but many were still stunned when it became known that the late lead singer of pomp rockers Queen was an enthusiastic homosexual.
"Lock up your sons!" screamed tabloid headlines in 1999, when Boyzone mewler Stephen Gately declared that he was in love with another chap. Few eyebrows were raised, however, and even fewer people took an interest when he and his "entrepreneur" partner became the Netto version of Elton John and David Furnish.
In mid-1995, light-on-his-feet entertainer Michael Barrymore appeared in a London gay pub and roundly declared: "Start spreading the news, I'm gay today". The star has been famous for his troubles ever since, with a high-profile divorce and accusations of murder allegedly driving him to drink. Don't worry though Bazza, we think you're awright.
"You're the most beautiful girl I have ever seen", hooted Pop Idol winner Will Young on his debut single. And although it went to number one, the nation didn't buy it – our gaydars were working overtime, and we were proved right when Will came out in 2002 in a bid to stop a tabloid splashing the story.
George Michael was linked to several high-profile female stars during his Wham! days. However, these all turned out to be shams, and industry gossipers were finally proved right when the car-pranging pop star was caught performing a "lewd act" with another gentleman in an LA public lavatory. Looking at this picture though, it should have been so obvious.