Last year’s powerhouse Eurovision winner, Conchita Wurst, says that she is “not comfortable” with being called a gay icon.

Conchita Wurst, the drag persona of Tom Neuwirth, has been embraced by the LGBT community since her win in Copenhagen last year. Despite performing at events for the United Nations and the European Parliament to promote LGBT inclusivity, the Austrian claims that she is not deserving of the title of “gay icon”.

Speaking before her performance with 1998 winner Dana International last night at the Eurovision Song Contest’s 60th Anniversary show, Wurst said, “I’m not really comfortable, if I’m honest, because I don’t see myself as an icon.”

She added, “It’s an honour to be called that, obviously, but I think to be an icon or to be a role model you need to have made an effort… and it takes no effort to be myself.

“So I think that I will keep on speaking out about my beliefs, and I will keep on fighting for what I think is right, and if there are people out there who want to join me, then I will welcome them very warmly.”

Conchita Wurst will return to the Eurovision spotlight at this year’s contest, where she will be co-hosting the event in Vienna.