Daryl's (Norman Reedus) sexual orientation has become a hot topic ever since comic book creator Robert Kirkman revealed last August in the letter section of "The Walking Dead" comics Issue No. 130 that the possibility of the crossbow-wielding character being gay had been discussed among the show's producers.

But Greg Nicotero - executive producer, director, special effects and make-up designer on the series - has a completely different theory as to why the hunky zombie-hunting heartthrob seems to have awkward relationships with female characters on the hit AMC show.

"I think he's a virgin in my opinion," Nicotero, 51, said in an interview for "Nightline," according to ABC News. "I don't think Daryl has ever been close enough with anyone to have sex so I always imagined that he's a shy 12-year-old kid who doesn't know how to handle the emotions that he has but has feelings for people on the show that he is close to but I never really imagined one way or the other that he's had sex."

And in the event Daryl would have a sexual encounter, Nicotero said that he wants it to be "awkward."

"I don't think Daryl is the type of guy to just throw someone up against a tree and kiss in the moonlight and once you do that it's over," Nicotero said. "I want that to be as awkward as possible and I don't think Daryl has too much experience in that field."

Reedus recently stopped by the set of Entertainment Tonight to promote the upcoming Season 5 premiere of the show, and unsurprisingly, he was asked about his character's sexual orientation.

"Whatever that decision is, I want to play it as real as possible," the "Boondock Saints" actor told ET's co-host Kevin Frazier.

Apparently, Reedus has no problem portraying Daryl as a gay character. In fact, in a recent interview with GQ, the Hollywood, Florida-born actor revealed that he previously agreed to play Daryl as a homosexual character.

"I remember Frank Darabont, after the first season we were at a party in LA. He said, 'I've got an idea for Daryl. He's gay. Would you be interested in that?'" recalled Reedus. "I was like, 'Let me hear you out.' He said, 'Well, he's prison gay-like, you'll catch him looking at a member of the same sex, but if you mention it to him, he'll just stab you and be like what the fuck?-he will never admit it.'"

And Reedus agreed with the idea, saying, "That'll blow minds-let's do that. And he [Darabont] said, 'I knew I hired you for a reason.'"

Darabont developed and executive-produced the first season of "The Walking Dead," but was fired from the position as showrunner in July 2011 reportedly due to the show's reduced budget and his strained relationship with AMC executives, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"The Walking Dead" Season 5 premieres Sunday, Oct. 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET on AMC.