EXCLUSIVE 'We make it work': Duncan James details long-distance romance with boyfriend Rodrigo and reveals he used to feel ashamed admitting he was gay

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Duncan James has revealed he and his boyfriend Rodrigo Reis are maintaining their long-distance relationship, with his partner currently based in Belgium.

The singer, 43, met Rodrigo, 27, in Belgium two years ago while he was there performing a gig with Blue.

Speaking to MailOnline as part of a new campaign with Burns Pet Nutrition, Duncan told how the couple managed to make it work despite being apart during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Romance: Duncan James has revealed he and his boyfriend Rodrigo Reis are maintaining their long-distance relationship, with his partner currently based in Belgium

He said: '[Rodrigo] lives in Belgium, he has a job there. We have a long-distance relationship but we make it work.'  

The couple, who have previously discussed tying the knot, were reunited earlier this year when Rodrigo visited London for a few weeks.

Duncan, who shares 16-year-old daughter Tianie with former girlfriend Claire Grainger, came out as bisexual in 2009 before confirming he was gay in 2017.  

The star said people are living in 'different times' nowadays and it's easier for people to come out than it was when he was growing up.

Duncan said: '[Rodrigo] lives in Belgium, he has a job there. We have a long-distance relationship but we make it work' 

He said: 'Programmes like RuPaul's Drag Race and It's A Sin. Back in the day when I was younger, I didn't have anything to see.

'I didn't have programmes like this. I felt very shameful to admit I was gay because I didn't know how people were going to react. 

'Why should it even be a talking point? People should just be happy in their own skin. People should be able to be who they want to be. 

He added: 'The younger generation are more comfortable with their sexuality. My daughter is 16 and there's kids in her school who are openly gay from a young age and it's not a problem.'

Family: Duncan recently recovered from Covid-19 and was worried about his mother Fiona after he passed it on to her

Duncan recently recovered from Covid-19 and was worried about his mother Fiona after he passed it on to her. 

He said: 'I managed to dodge it up until a month ago. I thought, "I'm not going to get it". I ended up getting it quite badly and giving it to my mum, I was a bit worried. 

'We were both double vaccinated. I'm pleased I didn't et any more serious symptoms and it didn't go into my lungs, being asthmatic I was worried about that.'

Duncan doesn't know when he'll next be back on stage with Blue bandmates Lee Ryan, Simon Webbe and Antony Costa as the group haven't seen each other at all during the pandemic.

Band: Duncan doesn't know when he'll next be back on stage with Blue bandmates Lee Ryan, Simon Webbe and Antony Costa as the group haven't seen each other at all during the pandemic  

He said: 'Everyone suffered [during lockdown], didn't they? With the arts, it really took a big blow. All the theatres had to close. 

'I haven't done a gig for a long time with the boys or anything, I haven't even seen the boys, it's been weird. 

'Two of them have just gone and had babies and I'm off doing panto and then I go on tour. I'm pretty booked. I can't complain.'

He said: 'Two of them have just gone and had babies and I'm off doing panto and then I go on tour. I'm pretty booked. I can't complain'

Duncan has partnered with Burns Pet Nutrition to announce that he is launching new music specifically made to help calm dogs on Fireworks Night.

As a huge dog lover himself, Duncan has personally overseen writing new and relaxing music to help minimise dogs anxiety over the Fireworks period. 

He said: 'This campaign is to help raise awareness, to help dog owners reassure their animal and keep them calm and we've come up with this idea to make some music for them.'

Duncan James has teamed up with Burns Pet Nutrition to launch a new music playlist of soothing songs to keep dogs calm on bonfire night. For more information visit www.burnspet.co.uk/petsounds 

Campaign: Duncan James has teamed up with Burns Pet Nutrition to launch a new music playlist of soothing songs to keep dogs calm on bonfire night. For more information visit www.burnspet.co.uk/petsounds