Kristian Nairn – known to Game Of Thrones fans as Hodor - has opened up about his sexuality. He’s gay. But instead of keeping it a secret (and why should he?), Nairn was simply waiting for someone to ask him about it.

Kristian NairnKristian Nairn at the 2012 Memorabilia Show at the NEC, Birmingham

It was the fan blog, Winter is Coming, that gave Nairn the opportunity he’d been waiting for, asking the actor a question regarding the “gay community” and his popularity within it. “Well, in all honesty, when you talk about “the gay community,” you are talking about MY community, haha,” he said.

"I AM aware of it yeah, and I think it's really lovely. There's not a day that I don't get a few messages, but 99% or more are super sweet and nothing smutty at all! Again, it's a privilege, and I really mean that. I've never hidden my sexuality from anyone, my whole life in fact, and I've been waiting for someone to ask about it in an interview, 'cause it's not something you just blurt out. I've tried to lead the questions a few times, to no avail!"

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The 38-year-old, who was born in Lisburn in Northern Ireland and can count DJ amongst his professions, says his openness about sexuality is important. "I had an upbringing to respect other people's privacy, and their right to be and choose what they want, and I expect, no, demand no less for myself," he said. "It's a very small part of who I am on the whole, but nonetheless, in this day and age, it's important to stand up and be counted."

Nairn’s character Hodor is somewhat of a gentle giant in the hit HBO fantasy drama. He’s a simpleminded servant to House Stark, and aide Bran Stark after a nasty injury. According to the Game of Thrones wiki, he is set to appear in the show’s fourth season, which is scheduled to air on April 6 on HBO.