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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Magdalene Dalziel & Kyle O'Sullivan

Where is X Factor's Johnny Robinson now - life transformation and Katie Price confusion

There are dozens of former X Factor contestants who are remembered for more than just their singing.

Yes, for every Leona Lewis or Little Mix, there's a Rylan, Wagner... or even a Johnny Robinson.

He was best known for his impressive and flamboyant style and high-pitched voice , as reports the Mirror.

When the budding star appeared on the 2011 series of the ITV talent contest, he admitted it felt like this was his last chance to make it.

Decked out in a flat cap and tracksuit, Jonny told the judging panel that he reckoned he could one day be as big as his idol, Lady Gaga.

The judges didn't look like they were expecting much but were stunned when Johnny belted out an outstanding rendition of Etta James classic 'At Last'.

Johnny was in tears as Tulisa told him he had "the shock factor", Kelly called him "sugary, lovely and delicious" and Louis Walsh admitted he should not have judged a book by its cover.

"I was overwhelmed and did not expect it in a million years. To have won the hearts of the nation I felt like a real queen," he said after.

But what happened to Johnny after his time on The X Factor?

(PA)

He made it through the tough stages of judges' houses and on to the live shows.

He was part of Louis' over 25s group but unfortunately didn't make it past week five after Kitty Brucknell was saved over him.

Stars in his eyes

It wasn't actually Jonny's first bid at fame.

He took part in Stars in their Eyes in 1993 at the age of 24.

He impressed with his impersonation of Boy George and made it all the way to the live final, beating 'Paula Abdul', 'Frank Sinatra', 'Chrystal Gale' and 'Cliff Richard'.

He had also tried his luck on Britain's Got Talent in 2009 but was eliminated during the deliberations.

Drag Queen

Jonny returned to Simon Cowell's other behemoth reality show, BGT, two years later to audition in drag as Miss Sarah Lee, but sadly for all of us the second audition was never televised.

"I auditioned for Britain's Got Talent as Sarah but I didn't get picked," he said. "They said go on The X Factor so I did."

Johnny would later explain that he wanted to appear as Sarah on The X Factor but bosses didn't let him go out in drag.

Johnny Robinson Transformation (Gothamrecords)

"I wanted to do this sort of look on The X Factor but they wouldn't let me do it," he told the Loose Women panel in 2016. "They said you have to do this one or that one. I think I was too revolutionary for them. Before my time.

"I think they should have another show on telly called 'Lucky Break' and have really bad acts that people love to tune in and vote for.

"Have it just full of joke acts and then just proper singers on The X Factor."

Johnny added he wasn't scared of failure, and always wanted to give everything his best shot.

"I just carried on doing what I had to do," he said of his career after the show. "Failure didn't bother me because at least if you try, you can't say you didn't give it a go."

Katie Price confusion

During that 2016 Loose Women appearance, Johnny grabbed attention by arriving at the studios in drag with a long white blonde wig and flowing black dress.

Appearing as alter-ego Sarah Lee with a full set of make-up, he spoke about a hilarious story when he was mistaken for Katie Price.

After panellist Stacey Solomon complimented him on his outfit, he said: "I just arrived and the cab driver said 'Oi Katie you look gorgeous!' He thought I was Katie Price!"

Coleen Nolan then asked whether to call him Johnny or Sarah, to which he replied: "I haven't had a sex change, it's just Johnny."

Johnny continued performing as Sarah Lee in clubs and in his video for single Eaten Alive, which saw him perform with a Michael Jackson impersonator.

He previously told Star magazine: "If I'm going to do a club track, people don't want me singing it in a suit and a pair of glasses, looking like a nerd. I wanted to make the song funky and quirky."

Explaining how long it takes to change his appearance, Johnny said: "A couple of hours. You've got to have a shave, exfoliate, moisturise and get that slap on."

Festive single

Johnny also released a seasonal song called It’s Christmas Time Again, which he described as "swing jazz with a sprinkling of Christmas essence!".

The kind former care home worker revealed he wanted to donate some of the proceeds to charity.

Johnny didn't speak much about his personal life while he was on The X factor, but later opened up on a devastating family heartbreak.

Speaking ­to The People about his new-found fame in 2011, he said: "I was so close to my ­father, who died three years ago. He had lung cancer and two brain tumours.

"I still can’t talk about it because it makes me really upset, but I know he’s with me all the way and will help me go further in the competition. I wasn’t that close to my mum but my dad was really special."

Prior to his death, Johnny's dad was diagnosed with lung cancer and two brain tumours and he was the only one able to take care of him at the time.

"It was 12 weeks from diagnosis to death and it did affect me and I did have a nervous breakdown," said Johnny.

"I was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder after his death, I lost a lot of weight, that's why I maybe didn't look so good on the tele.

"I wasn't very well, but I had to push myself forward as I was trying to make my life better."

Johnny also spoke about his love life, revealing he had a partner for over a decade but they split up.

He went on: "I just like to keep myself to myself, I liked working at the nursing home and helping but I moved to London to a bedsit to give singing a go.

"I had a boyfriend for 12 years but that’s so long ago now. I don’t see the point in finding someone.

"No, I just want to be on my own, I don’t want to be having a civil partnership or anything, they don’t last any more."

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