Robbie Williams asked ‘X Factor’ wannabe Felix Shepherd "if it was OK" to question what he was called before he transitioned into a man – but the clip didn’t air on the show.
The talent show judge has come under fire from numerous viewers following Saturday night’s (08.09.18) episode, in which he asked what name the 20-year-old star went by before his gender reassignment, but Felix – who was born Emily – has revealed the ‘Angels’ singer did approach him beforehand.
Felix exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I wasn’t offended by anything he said, so that’s the most important thing.
"I do feel people are entitled and would feel different ways about it.
"It wasn’t shown that he did actually ask me beforehand if it was OK, but they didn’t show that on the TV."
While Felix feels "indifferent" about the reaction to Robbie’s question, he has been inundated with support from fans and is delighted that some have opened up to their family following his appearance on the programme.
He added: "I’m indifferent about it – people are entitled to their own opinions about it.
"There have been more positives than negatives, 100 per cent.
"I’m getting more messages of support than anything else, and I’ve had quite a few trans guys tell their families that they feel the same.
"It’s been mental on my part – it’s amazing."
Felix revealed on the show that his mother Helen paid for his gender reassignment surgery – which resulted in his voice dropping lower – and while she was unable to make his audition, she has also become a hit on social media.
He added: "I sat down on the sofa with my family and watched the audition and she was obviously gutted that she couldn’t make it, but she was so excited because they mentioned her as well. That was really nice.
"I did tell her they’d mentioned her but I didn’t think it would be such a big deal.
"On Twitter, people have been like, ‘Get Helen a Twitter account.’
"She’s definitely feeling the love!"
Robbie Williams did ask X Factor’s Felix if name question ‘was OK’
