JAMES BLUNT - BLUNT DELIGHTED BY LOVE RAT RUMOURS

British crooner JAMES BLUNT has brushed off his love rat label from former socialite fling TARA PALMER-TOMKINSON, insisting it's better than being called gay. The YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL singer allegedly deceived Palmer-Tomkinson by luring her into bed while he was still dating blonde singer CAMILLA BOLER. She claims Blunt insisted he was single at the time of their liaisons, telling her he had split from Boler late last year (05). But Blunt maintains the criticism hasn't affected him - except to clarify his sexual-orientation to the world's press. He says, "My private life is private and not for comment. However, it seems to have killed the, 'Is James gay?' thread, which is desperately sad. "But rest assured that those in my private life are well supported and unaffected by the gossip."