Nov 1
Blue’s Duncan James Finds New Love in Forbidden Nights: Why Queer Joy After Heartbreak Matters
READ TIME: 7 MIN.
After six years together, the world watched as Duncan James—beloved Blue vocalist, out-and-proud LGBTQ+ role model, and reality TV favorite—quietly closed the book on his relationship with Rodrigo Reis this summer . For many, a breakup after that long would require a long retreat. But in true popstar fashion, Duncan has chosen a different path: one that trades heartbreak for hope, and private reflection for public affirmation.
Reports widely circulating in the UK press confirm Duncan, 47, is now dating Alexandre Roque, a charismatic performer currently turning heads as a stripper in the all-male show Forbidden Nights . Alexandre’s own star has been on the rise, thanks to a memorable stint on Britain’s Got Talent and a social media feed filled with unapologetic thirst traps and cheeky banter.
The details of this romance—shirtless Instagram comments, club appearances, and stolen glances at a Hollyoaks party—might sound like standard celebrity fare. Yet for LGBTQ+ audiences, there’s something unmistakably powerful about seeing queer love stories unfold so openly, with zero apology and all the campy, joyous energy that makes queer culture unique.
Duncan himself took to Instagram during his “season of sea, sun and soul-soothing magic,” reflecting on a summer of “quiet healing” after his split and gratitude for the friends and family who helped him through . “From quiet healing to laughter under golden skies, and neon lights … this chapter was one of growth, love, magic and light,” he wrote, hinting at the transformation that comes with moving through heartbreak and into new possibility.
Too often, queer narratives in the media are boxed into tragedy or scandal. Duncan and Alexandre’s early days—“just having fun and seeing where things go,” as an insider put it—push back against that trope . Here are two men, both in the spotlight, navigating vulnerability, chemistry, and the thrill of new love with the world watching. It’s not just gossip; it’s representation.
There’s an undeniable buzz around Alexandre Roque: not just as the “hunky dancer” tabloids crave, but as a performer who embodies the bravado and self-confidence of modern queer culture . His work with Forbidden Nights—a show that flips the script on traditional male entertainment—offers a playful, body-positive take on masculinity, sexuality, and queer performance.
When Duncan cheekily commented “Nice pyjamas” (complete with a heart and flame emoji) on Alexandre’s Instagram thirst trap, it wasn’t just a flirty gesture; it was a wink to fans and followers who’ve seen Duncan’s journey from closeted boybander to out-and-proud pop star . For LGBTQ+ people, especially those who grew up with Blue’s music or watched Duncan’s coming out story unfold in the public eye, these small moments become cultural touchpoints—reminders that queer love is joyful, flirtatious, and deserving of the same spotlight as any straight celebrity pairing.
As Blue prepares for yet another world tour next month, Duncan’s love life is once again an open book—or at least, a well-followed Instagram story . The openness with which he’s approached this new relationship stands in marked contrast to the secrecy that once surrounded queer relationships in the entertainment industry.
Alexandre, for his part, brings his own brand of unapologetic confidence to the match. Whether performing on stage or appearing on Britain’s Got Talent, he’s part of a new generation of queer entertainers unafraid to claim space, celebrate their bodies, and define their own narratives .
For fans, this pairing isn’t just about celebrity romance—it’s about the visibility of mature queer love, about making space for joy after loss, and about the ongoing evolution of what queer relationships can look like in the public eye.
At a time when anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and policy are resurging in parts of the world, every moment of queer joy in the public sphere is both personal and political. Duncan and Alexandre’s story—whether it becomes a lasting partnership or a brief, sparkling chapter—is a reminder that queer happiness is not just possible but worth celebrating, at every age and every stage .
And as Duncan carries his “glow into every season ahead,” as he wrote on Instagram, he’s not just speaking for himself. He’s shining a light for all those who have loved, lost, and dared to try again—reminding us, in the words of Blue’s own hits, that one love is never the end of the story.
