The 'She Bangs' singer admits he was overwhelmed with relief when he finally ended years of speculation about his sexuality in a twitter posting in March this year.

He said: 'When I realised, okay, I just pressed send, whoo . I was alone. I was in my studio alone for a minute. My assistant walked in and I just started crying like a little baby. I started crying.'

The 38-year-old star ' who has two-year-old twin sons Valentino and Matteo with a surrogate mother - made the decision to reveal his sexuality for the sake of his children, saying he didn't feel he could sidestep it any more.

He adds in the interview with Oprah Winfrey, which will be shown on US TV tonight (02.11.10): ' couldn't take it anymore. It was too painful. But I guess the most important thing is my children.

'When I was holding them in my arms I was like, 'What? Am I gonna teach them how to lie?' Whoa, that is my blessing right there. Then, when I was holding my children I said, 'Okay, it's time to tell the world.'"

Ricky explains in more detail his sexuality in his new autobiography 'Me', which is released this week.

He wrote in the book: 'Since I can remember, I have felt a very strong attraction to other men and, although I can say that I have also come to feel a lot of attraction and a lot of chemistry towards women, it is men who ultimately awaken what is instinctive, the animal in me."