‘X Factor’ hopeful Felix Shepherd has jumped to the defence of Robbie Williams, following accusations from some viewers that he asked the auditionee an insensitive question during his first performance.
Felix appeared in Saturday night’s audition show, telling the judges he hoped to prove he was “more than just a transgender guy”.
As he discussed his transition, Robbie Williams asked Felix what name he was given at birth, which some ‘X Factor’ viewers took issue with, pointing out a trans person could be offended by having to talk about their life before they transitioned, particularly on such a public platform.
However, Felix has now insisted he was not upset by the question, revealing we didn’t actually see the whole exchange.
“I wasn’t offended by anything he said, so that’s the most important thing,” he told BANG Showbiz (via Female First). “I do feel people are entitled and would feel different ways about it.
“It wasn’t shown that he did actually ask me beforehand if it was OK, but they didn’t show that on the TV.”
Going on to say he felt “indifferent” about being asked about his deadname, Felix added: “People are entitled to their own opinions about it.”
So far this series, Felix has been one of the stand-out contestants of this year’s ‘X Factor’, which has three new judges in the form of Robbie, his wife Ayda Field and former One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson.
Sharon Osbourne will also be joining as a fifth impartial judge when live shows start later this year, having recently made a string of unflattering comments about the show, and its boss Simon Cowell, during a radio interview.
Watch Felix’s audition in full above.