Latin pop star Ricky Martin's recent announcement that he is a "fortunate homosexual man" came as a surprise to few, and, in fact, provided a celebratory "I knew it!" moment for the sizable swath of humanity that revels in sexuality speculation. There have, it seems, always been celebrities - or friends or co-workers, or aunts or uncles - that we know, in our heart of hearts, are gay or lesbian. They just refuse to admit it, fuelling our curiosity with a stubbornness grounded in fear of being discriminated against or damaging an established career.

Out magazine has released its annual list of the 50 most powerful gays and lesbian in the US in 2010, which is topped by none other than lesbian talk show queen Ellen DeGeneres. "Since DeGeneres replaced Paula Abdul as a judge on American Idol in February, millions upon millions of viewers are getting a double dose of the hugely popular talk show host and 12-time Emmy winner," said Out, noting that her "reach is nearly unparalleled".

BOY George has ended a bitter rift with pop rival George Michael after 25 years. The Culture Club singer slammed the Wham star for failing to come out as a homosexual at the height of their groups’ fame in the 1980s. The attack prompted Michael to label George a “bitch” – and the pair refused to speak to each other for more than a quarter-of-a-century.

Colin Firth has claimed that gay actors risk missing out on work if they come out. The actor, who stars as gay college professor George Falconer in A Single Man, said at the movie's UK premiere in central London that there are still "invisible boundaries" that gay actors struggle to cross. He said: "There might be risks for a gay actor coming out. The politics of that are quite complex, it seems to me. "If you're known as a straight guy, playing a gay role, you get rewarded for that. If you're a gay man and you want to play a straight role, you don't get cast - and if a gay man wants to play a gay role now, you don't get cast.

A Los Angeles judge barred prosecutors from asking a witness whether a sexual relationship existed between celebrity model Anna Nicole Smith and the woman psychiatrist accused of providing her with excessive medication.

Kylie Minogue's first show in the US has attracted a range of responses from American critics but it's clear the singer and her manager, Terry Blamey, were thrilled with the reaction of fans. Blamey sent an exclusive message to S after the show in Oakland, California, last week: "I've been at every show and this is maybe the best to date. It was certainly the biggest audience response we've ever seen. What a welcome to America!"

George Michael has reportedly lashed out at reports suggesting that he had split from partner of 13 years Kenny Goss, and insists that the pair are still together.

George Michael has spoken out about his terrifying car crash in the early hours of Friday morning, insisting he was 'stone cold sober' at the time.