'I have accepted my homosexuality as a gift'

Putting an end to years of speculation over his sexuality, pop star Ricky Martin has admitted that he is gay.

Martin, who fathered two children with a surrogate mother two years ago, stated on his website that he felt "blessed to be who he was", reports The BBC.

Martin said: 'Today I have accepted my homosexuality as a gift that gives me life.'

The Puerto Rican star known for hip-shaking Latin pop hits like 1999's Livin' La Vida Loca, said his decision to write his memoirs had helped him to free 'things that were too heavy to keep inside'. 

Photograph: Claudio Pedroso/Reuters