Soap star and writer Gerard McCarthy has come out as non-binary.
McCarthy is best known for having played Kris Fisher in Channel 4's Hollyoaks between 2006 and 2010.
The star has also turned their hand to writing, penning three episodes of the soap in 2016 and writing the award-winning short film Just Johnny.
They came out to fans on Instagram on Monday (June 20) releasing a statement about their sexuality and gender identity.
Related: Former Hollyoaks stars Daisy Wood-Davis and Luke Jerdy marry in Spanish ceremony
"Since I was a child, my relationship with my own sexuality, gender identity and place in this world has always been a rollercoaster of a journey for me," McCarthy explained.
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"It's an aspect of myself that I’ve never embraced, loved or understood. As a result, I've always kept my guard up and tried to avoid talking about it.
"I've never spoken honestly about it because I've been worried about how other people might react, and afraid of not having satisfactory answers to the questions that I'll be asked," they revealed.
Related: Hollyoaks teases death twist in 23 new spoiler pictures
McCarthy went on to explain they'd had "intimate, long term, loving relationships" with both men and women in the past.
They wrote: "The thing that attracted me to them was their energy, sense of humour, ambition, talent, intelligence and wit. Not their genitalia.
"Does that make me bisexual? Pansexual? I'm not sure. To be honest, I don't really care.
"Right now, I'm in love with the kindest, most caring, thoughtful person I've ever met in my life. He's a guy. If he was a girl, I'd still be in love."
Related: Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe calls for Silas Blissett to return
McCarthy said they'd "never been comfortable" with the way gender is used to categorise people.
The actor added that the term "non-binary" makes sense to them, revealing: "Going forward, I'm using the pronouns they/them as well as he/him.
"I don't want anyone who has always referred to me as he/him to start overthinking it or worrying about it too much (trust me, I've already wasted far too much time doing that).
"Being referred to as they/them will make me smile, but I certainly won't get angry or offended if I'm referred to as he/him. I'm just me," McCarthy concluded.
The former Hollyoaks star also shared an image of the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag and wished followers a happy Pride Month.
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