Heartstopper breakout star Joe Locke has publicly spoken about his sexuality for the first time in a new interview.

The Manx actor commented on how Kit Connor was forced to address his sexuality in an interview alongside his co-star for Teen Vogue.

“We were all very proud of him, and we’re proud of him for controlling the narrative,” he said. “There’s an idea that it’s part of the job to lose your privacy.”

“That’s something I hope the next generation of people in the public eye can change… I think people are understanding that privacy is a nonnegotiable.”

READ MORE: Heartstopper star Joe Locke says Marvel’s Agatha: Coven of Chaos will be “camp”

He also noted that he never labelled his own sexuality in an interview: “People have assumed and written it and I haven’t ever corrected anyone because I haven’t felt the need to. But I’ve never specifically stated my sexuality.”

Locke added: “I have been openly gay since I was, like, 12.”

The 19-year-old skyrocketed to fame with his leading role as Charlie Spring in the hit Netflix series Heartstopper, which recently returned for a second season.

The synopsis is as follows: “Nick and Charlie navigate their new relationship; Tara and Darcy face unforeseen challenges and Tao and Elle work out if they can ever be more than just friends.

“With exams on the horizon, a school trip to Paris and a prom to plan, the gang has a lot to juggle as they journey through the next stages of life, love and friendship.”

Locke will appear in WandaVision spin-off series, Agatha: Coven of Chaos, expected to premiere in 2024.

Heartstopper season two is now available to watch on Netflix.