R.E.M's frontman, Michael Stipe has revealed that he is gay ending years of speculation. He told Time magazine that he is a "queer artist" and he had been "in a relationship with an amazing man" for the past three years.

The 41-year-old American rocker was previously coy about his sexuality and once said that he did not think of himself as straight, gay or bisexual, but had had relationships with both sexes.

The interview was to promote the band's aptly named new album, Reveal.