Westlife's Mark Feehily reaches out to LGBT people trapped with homophobes in lockdown

Westlife 's Mark Feehily is reaching out to members of the LGBT community who have been trapped with homophobic people in lockdown.

The singer, who is due to spend his 40th birthday in lockdown with his fiancé Cailean and their baby daughter Layla, is supporting the British LGBT Awards' #InThisTogether campaign.

In a video exclusively shared with Mirror Online, the Irish star sends out a poignant message to the young people struggling through the coronavirus lockdown because of the circumstances they've found themselves trapped in.

He says: "This is a message from myself and everybody else at the LGBT Awards. The message is dedicated to everybody out there who's living in a hostile environment during lockdown.

"Lockdown is obviously difficult enough as it is, we all know that, but what will make it more difficult for some of you, if you're living in a negative environment, if you're living surrounded by people who are homophobic, transphobic, biphobic, any phobic, it's going to make things harder for you.

"So this message is just to remind you that things get better, this situation is temporary, you're not going to be in this situation forever, you're not going to be in it for a long time.

"Try and stay positive, keep in touch with people and focus on people that are good for you, people that make you laugh, people that take your mind away from dark or negative places, talk to friends or family, and also lots of people out there at different charities and organisations who are at the end of a phone line that you can talk to, or if you can't talk on the phone you can also message them through their website or WhatsApp."

He added: "Also getting outside, getting a bit of fresh air, even if it's for a 10 or 15 minute walk every day, that's going to really help you.

"And on top of that just stay positive, remember this isn't forever and you absolutely will get through this.

"Just wanted to let you know that we're all thinking of you, we know you're there and you're not alone, you're part of a family of people who are going through the same thing as you, and it'll all be over soon."

Other celebrities including Caitlyn Jenner, Stephen Fry, Tom Daley and his partner Dustin Lance Black, have recorded videos for the campaign.

Speaking exclusively to us, Mark added: "As a result of lockdown and social distancing measures, many young people are having to endure unaccepting or hostile situations because of their sexual orientation.

"It has been a tough time for everyone but especially people who feel alone. They need to know help is available. Things will get better. This is a brilliant campaign by the British LGBT Awards.

"I was emotional at the start of all of this especially when the Irish Prime Minister announced the lockdown and told us we had to distance from our families and our older relatives needed to stay in doors.

"It has been tough but I’ve spent the entire lockdown period at home with Cailean and Layla. That’s been the positive side to all of this. It has been great to spend so much time together."

The #InThisTogether campaign has been organised by the British LGBT Awards and It Gets Better UK.

This Morning’s Dr Ranj Singh, Blue’s Duncan James, Celebs Go Dating's Tom Read Wilson and musician Hayley Kiyoko have also lent their support.

The videos are available on the British LGBT Awards social media channels.