Disgraced journalist, Jan Moir, has publicly apologised to Stephen Gateley's family and friends - but only for the 'timing' of her column about the death of the Boyzone singer. However she continues to defended the article saying she did not hold "poisonous" homophobic views.

She starts off, "Obviously, a great deal of offence has been taken and I regret any affront caused. This was never my intention."

Moir said she realised that Gately's partner, parents, family and friends were in mourning and apologised to them. "To them, I would like to say sorry if I have caused distress by the insensitive timing of the column, published so close to the funeral."

She now says readers were wrong to suggest that her motive was to insinuate that Gately died "because he was gay".

"Anyone who knows me will vouch that I have never held such poisonous views. If he had been a heterosexual member of a boy band, I would have written exactly the same article."

US rapper, Eminem, will return to the UK for the first time in over five years after promising to tone down his homophobic lyrics. He has unlikely support in the form of Elton John. Elton has stood up for Eminem and said, "I honestly don't think people will go out and start beating and killing people because of this album. It appeals to my English black sense of humour."

Eminem's song Criminal includes the homophobic lyrics that could incite violence:

“My words are like a dagger with a jagged edge,
That'll stab you in the head, whether you're a fag or lez,
Or the homosex, hermaph or a trans-a-vest,
Pants or dress? Hate fags? The answer's yes”.

Organisers of the 'Wireless Festival' in London have persuaded the rapper to drop his gratuitously anti-gay songs to avoid any demonstrations. Following Eminem's pledge, they have agreed a deal with gay rights groups not to picket the event next summer.

A complaint that a newspaper comment piece about Stephen Gately's death was "inaccurate", "intrusive" and "discriminatory" has been rejected by the Press Complaints Commission (PCC).

Andrew Cowles, Gately's civil partner, and a record 25,000 members of the public had lodged the complaint about two articles by Jan Moir, published on 16 October and 23 October last year in the Daily Mail.

The PCC said it could fully understand why Mr Cowles and other complainants were upset by the article but ruled that Ms Moir's comments had not breached press guidelines.

Gately died of natural causes due to a pulmonary oedema on October 10 last year at his holiday home on the island of Majorca.

Eight years after he won Pop Idol, Will Young has been voted the number one British role model in pop for young lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

Voters in Stonewall’s multiple-choice social media poll were asked which British music personality is the best role model for young lesbian, gay and bisexual people. The results were:

1. Will Young 58%
2. Alison Goldfrapp 15%
3. Kele Okereke 12%  
4. Joe McElderry 10%
5. Lady Sovereign 5%