Dannii Minogue apologises for bisexuality joke

X Factor judge Dannii Minogue last night apologised on live television for her highly controversial remarks about contestant Danyl Johnson’s sexuality.

On Saturday the bookies’ favourite to win the talent show altered the lyrics of the song And I Am Telling You so that he was singing about a woman, rather than a man.

And during the live show on Saturday night, Minogue said: “If you're to believe everything you read in the papers, then you didn't need to change the gender references in the song.”

But yesterday she used several mediums, including the show itself, to apologise after facing a barrage of criticism.

“I want to clear up exactly what happened on last night's X Factor show and post my sincere apologies to anyone who took offence,” she said.

“I made a comment about Danyl changing the lyrics. It was meant to be a humourous moment about the fact he had an opportunity to have fun with his song.

“An openly bisexual guy singing a song that is lyrically a ‘girls' song. Danyl and I were joking about the very same thing in rehearsals on Friday, so it carried on to the show.

“I'd like to apologise to anyone that was offended by my comments, it was never my intention.”

She went on: “I spoke to Danyl straight after the show last night and he wasn't offended or upset by my comments, and knew exactly what I was saying.

“I understand X Factor fans do not want the judges to get personal with judging comments. During the course of the show all the judges become close to the contestants and this is because we adore them and care about them.”

Minogue's comments on the show prompted rival judge Simon Cowell to say: “You can forget playing any of those games with him. I'm not having that. This guy sang his heart out. Give him some credit.”

Johnson's performance of the song was widely praised, with Cowell urging the 27-year-old dance teacher from Reading to ignore the comments.

It was “one of the best performances I've ever heard in my life”, he said.

Rival judge Cheryl Cole added that he “absolutely smashed it” but urged him to be cautious, adding there was a “fine line between confidence and cockiness”.

“You haven't won it yet,” she said.

Earlier, writing on the micro-blogging website Twitter, Minogue wrote that “after a lifetime of doing work with gay/lesbian and bisexuals in helping acceptance, I seem to be getting criticised for having a fun remark with Danyl last night”.

In a series of updates which started last night, she explained her remarks to fans.

“It was supposed to (be) in celebration of Danyl being who he is,” she wrote. “I'm sorry if anyone was offended. He sang a great finale song.”

Referring to how Johnson appeared close to tears as she made her comments, Minogue added: “I adore Danyl and meant no offence.

“I'm sorry if I have caused any harm. I spoke with Danyl afterwards and he said he was not in tears over my comment at all.”

She added: “As he was singing a girls song, and has made very honest and open statements about who he is, I thought he could have had fun with it — a celebration of what makes him so special.”

Raunchy girl band Kandy Rain was kicked off the show last night — and to the surprise of many viewers, Irish twins John and Edward Grimes made it through to sing another week.

The Co Dublin duo was the first to be announced as having been voted through by the public to the next heat during last night’s results show.

The blond, bequiffed pair jumped for joy as they beat the odds against them — on the previous night’s show, judge Simon Cowell lambasted them as a “musical nightmare”.

But the nightmare of losing in the judges’ vote became reality for Kandy Rain after the four-piece failed to woo with a performance of Christina Aguilera’s anthem Stronger.

Rachel Adedeji, whose talents had also been put to the judges’ adjudication, looked visibly relieved to be spared the chop after singing Pink’s Nobody Knows.

The glittering results show was lent even more star quality by eagerly-awaited performances from last year’s winner Alexandra Burke, and comeback king Robbie Williams.

He sang his upcoming single, Bodies, but regularly broke off to chat and greet the crowd, who gave him a rapturous reception.

“Thank you very, very much. I’m made up,” the ex-Take That star said. Burke, meanwhile, wore a short gold-sequinned dress as she sang her new single Bad Boys accompanied by a troupe of male dancers.