Criticised for his homophobic lyrics in the past, rapper Eminem has admitted his lyrics were just to deflect from the fact that he is actually gay himself – well, at least in ‘The Interview’, anyway.

The 42 year-old rapper appears in The Interview alongside James Franco and Seth Rogen, as a fictionalised version of himself.

While being interviewed by James Franco’s character he says, “When I say things about gay people, or people think my lyrics are homophobic – it’s because I’m gay.

“I’m more shocked that people haven’t figured it out yet. I mean, it’s kind of like I’ve been playing gay peek-a-boo.”

Eminem is just one of many celebrities that poke fun at themselves in the controversial new film, which has been pulled from cinemas all over the US.

The rapper has often come under fire for his violent and homophobic lyrics, but maintains that the use of words like “faggot” were not intended to be homophobic. Last year, Eminem came out in favour of same-sex marriage.