X Factor's Wagner: I'm no benefits cheat

Wildcard singer Wagner Carrilho spoke today for the first time since his X Factor exit, declaring: "I'm no benefits cheat."

Speaking exclusively to the Express & Star, the former karate instructor and PE teacher denied accusations of benefit fraud, and said the only reason he entered the show was because he wanted to work.

He said job hunting had been more difficult since having three failed operations to fix a tendon in his shoulder.

"I came to England in 1992, and until 2008 I never claimed a penny of benefits," he said. "That's 16 years I was paying my taxes and didn't have any benefits at all. I only did then because the doctor from the Department for Work and Pensions told me I couldn't work any more as a karate instructor or PE teacher."

After trying for a number of jobs, he applied to X Factor after realising there was very little money to be made from singing in pubs and clubs.

The singer, from Blewitt Street, Pensnett, has been staying with friends to avoid media attention.