X Factor Austin Drage NOT gay
X FACTOR star Austin Drage's former voice coach has slammed the gay rumours surrounding the singer.
David Gregory, 42, starting coaching Austin at the age of 12 and says he has always had an eye for the ladies-despite numerous comments on internet forums that Austin is openly gay.
David told the News of the World: "I explicitly refute those accusations, Austin confided in me with everything and he never said anything about being gay."
Austin attended Ridgeway College of Performing Arts in Chingford Mount on Saturday afternoons and David says it was clear from the beginning that he was a class act set for stardom.
And in an exclusive online video the 13-year-old Austin shows his amazing vocal ability from an early age by belting out 'Faith.'
Far from the "nerdy schoolboy" that he has been labelled, in David's lessons the now hunky singer was overtly confident to the extreme as David fondly recalls naming him "Gob on legs!"
He said: "Austin was very disruptive in class at the start until he discovered my voice was much louder than his and he soon started behaving himself as a result!"
Austin's transformation to heartthrob also brought a smile to David's face when he met with him in 2006 as the singer told the former bodybuilder that he was "his inspiration."
David has experienced a taste of reality TV stardom himself and was a semi-finalist in the Channel 4 show 'Operatunity' and says he can relate to the pressure Austin is under.
But the voice expert - who also raises money for Marie Curie Cancer Care - believes that Austin will stay cool enough to reach the final and showcase his talent to the nation every Saturday evening in the live shows.
He added: "We have only seen a taste of Austin's voice, the best is yet to come!"
David has set up his own business, David Gregory Associates Ltd, where David and his artists perform 'live' in various departmental stores throughout the UK, to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
This article has 15 comments
Austin is obviously not gay because he has got a girlfriend (who is acctaually a catwalk model)
from dolphin_lover
By dolphin_luver. Posted December 22 2008 at 4:51 PM.
Obviousllei austin aint gay. god hoo created dat roumor anywaiz ?! (dat woz wel stupid)
By X_x_xfactorz_da_best_x_X. Posted December 20 2008 at 4:49 PM.
who cares if hes gay or not i fink e is still sexiiii i lovee u austin
By katie. Posted December 5 2008 at 2:15 PM.
Naa ii PersOnally Thiink Hes NOtt Gay Buh iif He iis SO Wahh Hes PrOpa Gawjuss Andd Hiis VOiice iis Amaziin; !!
Andd He Saiid He Fanciied One Of The Dancers On One Of Hiis PerfOrmances Soo Hes NOT Gay PeOple;;
LOvee Hiim TOo Biitss;;
&&* He Shud Stiil Bee iin The COmpetitiOn !!
xoxox
By Ashley . Posted November 13 2008 at 11:02 PM.
"i know for a fact that austin is def not gay he is a lovely bloke wiv a warm heart"
So gay people are cold-hearted and nasty?
By Tom. Posted October 30 2008 at 3:30 PM.
austin isnt gay i know that for a fact so the papers shouls stop spreading rumours about him good luck austin i hope u win
By happylally. Posted October 23 2008 at 6:37 AM.
who cares if he is gay ?
I hate the fact that you enter the x factor and you could be trying to start a new life and they reveal everything about you :S
Austin to win
By gaylad. Posted October 22 2008 at 8:56 PM.
who cares if the lads gay or not, its his voice that matters surly
By james. Posted October 22 2008 at 8:44 PM.
i know for a fact that austin is def not gay he is a lovely bloke wiv a warm heart .theres a lot of jealous people out there who hatepeople doin well . i hope u win babe u deserve to after all thehard work love debbie xxx
By debbie greer. Posted October 22 2008 at 4:49 PM.
Alexandra Burke she is so lovely vot for her to win it love you all
By shak. Posted October 22 2008 at 3:27 PM.
I know you are a great singer and a very nice person.I dont care about what the papers may say.It was great to meet you last week.Best Wishes. Alan Penfold..
By alan. Posted October 22 2008 at 2:39 PM.
What does it matter if he is gay!!! He has a fantastic voice and looks like a pop star!!
Good luck to him
By Kat. Posted October 22 2008 at 2:20 PM.
I think its so soul destroying when you enter a talent show like X Factor, that you have to take on all the mallicious gossip delivered by the press. Who cares weather someone is gay or not. Its the talent we are interested in and not someones personal life. YOU GO AUSTIN AND SOCK IT TOO THEM!!!
By David Christie. Posted October 22 2008 at 12:48 PM.
Sexuallity so what!
By Butch. Posted October 22 2008 at 11:00 AM.
so what if he is gay!!!! hes got a great voice and tallent whats his sexuality got to do with it???
By craig beddoes. Posted October 21 2008 at 9:27 PM.