Irish Eurovision contestant, Ryan Dolan has spoken publicly about being gay for the first time.

Dolan, who represented Ireland last year in the Eurovision song contest, said that he struggled with his sexuality in his younger years and even considered taking his own life.

He told Derek Mooney on RTÉ Radio 1 yesterday, “In school I was confused about who I was, and it was really hard for me growing up because of that.  It was hard to deal with because I knew that I was gay, but I couldn’t get the courage to talk to someone about it.”

The 28 year-old Tyrone singer said that he was nervous telling his family he was gay, but when he finally came out they were very supportive. “My father was the last person to find out because I was afraid of what he would think. I think he actually took it the better than anyone I told. I couldn’t ask for better parents, they’ve been great to me my whole life.”

He added, “My whole life I built it up in my head. The more I thought about it the harder it got. Telling my father was the main thing because me and my father would be very close.”

Dolan admitted that the pressure of hiding his sexuality made he contemplate suicide as a teenager. “I never attempted suicide, but it was a thought in my mind,” he said.

“Thinking back now I wish I would have came out about it a long time ago. I think my youth was wasted worrying all the time about it. If I had been more open back then I would have been happier.”

Ryan Dolan represented Ireland in the 2013 Eurovision in Malmö, Sweden, with the song  Only Love Survives.