X Factor hopeful Anthony Russell booted off show after admitting to taking drugs
The Boys' category favourite from Liverpool was given his marching orders after show bosses confronted him over substance abuse
I can reveal that favourite Anthony Russell has been booted off the ITV family show after he admitted taking drugs.
A show insider revealed: “Contestants are closely monitored by the production team. They were alarmed by how erratic he was during filming and decided to confront him.
“He admitted he was a drug user and a decision was quickly taken to remove him.
“It’s a shame, as he was hotly tipped to make the live shows.”
The dad of one’s axing comes after he turned up to his first audition with a black eye.
Anthony told the judges he got the injury after he was attacked by a gang in Liverpool after one of his gigs.
Dubbed “skippy” by SHARON OSBOURNE due to his frantic behaviour, he then won over the judges after he sang Issues by JULIA MICHAELS.
But luckily for Anthony, it might not be the last fans will see of him.
An X Factor source said: “Anthony has been going through some personal issues for some time - as he sang about at his audition. Those issues were still affecting him. So everyone has urged him to concentrate on getting himself better right now.
"Production are all very fond of him and think he has really potential so have told him, if he straightens himself out, they would love him to have another shot at X Factor next year. That is the perfect incentive for him to get his life back on track.
" Everyone hopes he will come back next year healthier."
And I wouldn’t be surprised if he returns, as he also auditioned ten years ago when he was just 17.
An X Factor spokeswoman said: “Earlier this month, due to personal reasons, Anthony withdrew from the show. We are sad to see him go and wish him all the best for the future.”
The singer is not the first X Factor wannabe to be banished from the competition due to drugs.
In 2011 The Sun revealed rocker FRANKIE COCOZZA had been booted off after confessing to a cocaine-fuelled sex session.
AXE FACTOR Sinitta blasts Simon Cowell after being axed as guest judge in favour of Cheryl
There have been other drug scandals too, as I detail below.
Speaking on E4 series Celebs Go Dating on Monday, where he is looking for love, Frankie claimed he struggled to find people who hadn’t “dibbed and dabbed in drugs” on the show.
He said: “I thought, ‘You know what, I’m 18 I’m still growing up’.”
Sadly, at 27 years of age, Anthony can’t share the excuse.
CHLOE MAFIA 2010 … Lost her spot on the show the same day she was exposed for snorting cocaine[/caption]
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FORMER Voice contestant RACHAEL O’CONNOR is launching her debut single, Done With Your Love, at London Soho club G-A-Y on Saturday night – and she can already count former mentor KYLIE MINOGUE as a fan.
Rachael said: “After I left The Voice in 2014, Kylie wrote to me saying, ‘I can’t wait to hear your music’.
“When you hear her name, you know it means good pop music. I want people to think the same when they hear my name.”
She’s dreaming big.
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IT’S not often KATIE PRICE is lost for words.
But the Loose Women host has some explaining to do after Love Island’s CHRIS HUGHES published secret messages she sent him – shortly after she claimed they never existed.
I revealed last month that Chris had received flirty texts from the married star.
And he presented an example on Twitter last night, accompanied by the caption: “Okay sweetheart. Being pied shouldn’t make you bitter.”
The badly spelt texts, sent from Katie’s phone, read: “Hey Chris I got your number from a mutual friend . . . I loved meeting you the other day . . . I don’t think your getting my messages are you?
“I think they are getting deleted. I’m not here to cause trouble at all! Yes you know I like you!”
Including a love-hearts emoji, she continued: “Hope to hear from you and if you don’t want me to tex or be in touch I’d rather you tell me xxx.”
Awkward.
- AEROSMITH have cancelled tour dates in South and central America as singer STEVEN TYLER is suffering from “unexpected medical issues”.
He tweeted: “I am not in a life-threatening condition, but I need medical care.”
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But my exclusive snaps actually show four Global Radio presenters transformed in to music heroes DEBBIE HARRY, FREDDIE MERCURY, DAVID BOWIE and EMINEM – all for an amazing cause.
Radio X’s JOHNNY VAUGHAN, Classic FM’s MYLEENE KLASS, Smooth Radio’s KATE GARRAWAY and Capital FM’s ROMAN KEMP had their faces painted in support of Global’s Make Some Noise campaign.
It launches on October 6 and helps small projects supporting disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
They’d have a tough time making me look like my hero – ALANIS MORISSETTE.
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- LIAM GALLAGHER is used to being chucked out of venues – but a church?
He told Q: “I’d been on a run. I sat down and started sizzling. Someone went, ‘Excuse me, out you go’.” They were feeling brave.
- STRICTLY pro AJ PRITCHARD thinks he’s in with a chance of romance with pop star partner MOLLIE KING.
He told Heat: “We’re both single and having a fantastic time training. Who knows what will happen? You do get very close.”
- LOVE ISLAND’S MONTANA BROWN says she wants host CAROLINE FLACK’s job.
She told Star: “It would be good to have a presenter who has gone through the experience. Caroline has some competition.”
- PALOMA FAITH keeps back-up career plans just in case. She told Music Week: “For the first two albums it was to train as a teacher.
For the third, Mum said, ‘You could just have a lodger’.” She won’t be needing to advertise on Spare Room any time soon.