Colton Haynes is "happier than he's ever been" since coming out as gay.

Colton Haynes

Colton Haynes

The 'Arrow' actor seemed to confirm his sexual orientation via blogging site Tumblr earlier this year when a follower posted about his "secret gay past" and he responded that it wasn't a "secret".

However, the heartthrob made no further comments and checked into rehab after the media frenzy that followed the news to help him deal with ongoing anxiety issues.

Speaking about why he wasn't ready to open up about his sexuality at the time, the star said: "I should have made a comment or a statement, but I just wasn't ready. I didn't feel like I owed anyone anything. But I felt like I was letting people down by not coming forward with the rest of what I should have said."

And he added that he is "happier and healthier than he's ever been".

Colton - who is close pals with Tennis ace Serena Williams - has been a long-time supporter of LGBT rights and his brother Joshua is also openly gay and married to partner Scott Culley.

The actor has often shared cute photos of the couple on his Instagram account.

And the star admits that before coming out as gay, he felt like he was acting "24 hours a day" and people were pressuring doesn't want to feel the pressure of being a typical pin-up model.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he added: "People want you to be that image that you put out, but people don't realize what it's like to act 24 hours a day. I'd go home and I was still acting.

"People who are so judgmental about those who are gay or different don't realize that acting 24 hours a day is the most exhausting thing in the world."

The handsome Hollywood star has kept his relationships and romantic life private since starring on MTV's 'Teen Wolf' since 2011 however, he has used social media to express his struggles with anxiety in the past.

He previously posted on Twitter: "For those of you who are suffering with intense anxiety...ur not alone ... It's been a constant struggle for me since fifth grad. It's a battle (sic)."


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