I didn't really know there was a debate, but apparently one got started after he locked eyes with a male fan in the audience of a concert. Nutini tried to stomp out any questions of his sexuality by saying:
When I first started gigging, people were giving me all of these words of advice. They said: 'Find a girl in the audience and sing to her, let her be the focus of the song.' "But once when I did it a guy came up to me later and said, 'I saw you looking at me throughout that song.' "I said: 'I'm sorry man, I think there was a girl right beside you,' "And he went: 'Aww, it wasn't me?' It was the most awkward moment. "He said: 'So you're not gay?' And I said: 'No.' The dude walked away then came up again and shook my hand. "He sort of went, 'I'm sorry about that see you later.' And then he left his number in my hand! Ten out of ten for trying but ever since then I've not run the risk again!
