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CROSS-dressing X-Factor hopeful Justin Watson-Hermes is an actor trying to get publicity for his comedy act, he revealed last night.
Viewers saw the 51-year-old dairy farmer rejected by the ITV1 talent show judges when he sang as a man. So he changed into a woman and won through to the next round.
But Justin said: "I got through because I want to be in comedy and not really a singer. I created a character - Justine - and I've got three others too.
"I breed pedigree Dairy Shorthorn cattle and have done since I left school, but I am a member of Equity, the actors' union.
"I wanted publicity and I have got it. Instead of moaning and groaning, I have got off my backside and sold myself.
"I'm sure Justine will be a roaring success."
Equity last night confirmed Watson-Hermes is a member.
He has an entry in the actors' directory Spotlight and last year appeared as a detective in the BBC3 drama Conviction.
He also attended short drama courses at acting institution the Poor School in London, where EastEnders star Jessie Wallace trained, and at the International School of Screen Acting in Bromley.
An X-Factor spokeswoman said producers knew Watson-Hermes was an actor, but emphasised he was not paid for his appearance.
She said: "The X-Factor is an open audition and we didn't pay Justin to do it.
"He's certainly been one of our more colourful characters this series so far." On Saturday viewers saw the Yorkshire-based actor try to charm judges Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh with Dusty Springfield's You Don't Have To Say You Love Me.
Simon - dubbed TV's Mr Nasty - said Justin sang like a little girl, so Justin returned as "Justine" in a black dress and blonde wig.
The shock transformation won the panel over and put him through to the later rounds.
Mirror
