DARREN HAYES - HAYES HAS BEEN 'OUT' FOR YEARS, SAYS PAL

HAYES HAS BEEN 'OUT' FOR YEARS, SAYS PAL

LATEST: Australian singer DARREN HAYES has been "out" as a homosexual for years to his friends and family, according to his close pal WILLIE WILLIAMS. The former SAVAGE GARDEN frontman, 34, 'married' his boyfriend RICHARD CULLEN in a civil partnership ceremony in London on 19 June (06), but only revealed the news to fans on Monday (17JUL06). Hayes was previously married to ex-wife COLBY TAYLOR until 1999. Stage designer Williams, who attended the wedding, tells America's People magazine, "As far as anyone who knows him, he's been 'out' for years. "He did feel the pressure because he'd do interviews with the Australian press, and he'd say he had his partner Richard, and they'd still ask, 'Are you gay?' And he'd say, 'My partner is called Richard.' "They just want the quote: 'Yes, I'm gay.' It's not that he doesn't want to give the quote, it's just that it's not a big deal." Hayes described his wedding as "the happiest day of my life" on his website, adding, "I'm proud of who I am, and after what felt like an eternity, I'm finally in a place where my heart is secure and content."