2011: X Factor Johnny Robinson is no benefit cheat

Last week Johnny Robinson was depicted by the press as a benefit cheat. It was alleged that the former drag queen was in receipt of incapacity benefit, because of a spine condition he suffers from which supposedly makes it impossible for him to work.

However, speaking on The Xtra Factor last night, Johnny denied the reports and claimed that he informed the benefit office of his new X Factor role before the live rounds even started. He said:

“To be honest, they knew. The X Factor informed them because you have to send a medical report in and my doctors had done that. The X Factor had sorted everything out with the benefit people.”

He went on to add:

“I have actually worked for 29 years and paid tax and national insurance and I have had an illness in my back, which has been very difficult for me. It made it very hard at bootcamp as well, that’s why I looked so awful at judges houses, because I didn’t have my medication on me. I have come into this trying to get work, to get a better life.

What was I supposed to do? Sit in my bedsit for the rest of my life? I got off my backside and out and tried to do something.”