X Factor hopeful Austin denies gay rumours
Austin Drage says he is straight after gay website 'outed' him
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Wednesday, 22, Oct 2008 02:25
Austin Drage, one of the final ten acts on The X Factor, has said he is straight after a gay website recently 'outed' him.
The DNA website had posted topless pictures of Austin, 22, and claimed he was "openly gay".
But speaking to the Daily Star newspaper, the singing hopeful said that while he is delighted to have a gay fanbase, he is straight and in a relationship.
"I am sorry to disappoint but I am not gay. But I am very flattered to have a gay fan base," he said.
"And I appreciate all the support I have been getting while on The X Factor."
A DNA posting, as part of its 'Sunday Hotness' page, said: "Multimedia star from the UK, Austin Drage appeared in the Guy Ritchie movie Snatch as well as on TV in Casualty and The Bill.
"Openly gay, his main love is music. And he appeared for a time as part of the band 5Boyz."
Austin reportedly gained a gay following in 2006 when he appearing on E4's Boys Will Be Girls and appeared in drag alongside two other men in a girl band called the Honey Trapz in an attempt to fool record company bosses.
The aspiring singer performed an acoustic version of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean on last weekend's show to sail through into the next stage of the competition, while Girlband were eliminated.