‘I feel as much woman as I am man’

Oscar-winning singer Sam Smith has opened up about his sexuality and gender identity, saying he feels "as much woman as I am man".

When asked about why it took him a long time to come out, the now-25-year-old "Stay With Me" singer said, "Looking back on it, it was the fear of saying the wrong thing and offending people.

"And I was 19 when I started writing the first album. I'd just moved to London from a village - I was literally the only gay in the village. I didn't know what I wanted to say, he told.

"I love a heel. I've got loads of heels at home. People don't know this, but when I was 17, I remember becoming obsessed with Boy George and Marilyn (Monroe), and all that.

"There was one moment in my life where I didn't own a piece of male clothing, really. I would wear full make-up every day in school, eyelashes, leggings with Dr Martens and huge fur coats, for 2.5 years."