In the article, it says he tried out a few times before, never making it past the pre-audition auditions. So if true, this story proves the producers do favour contestants with the sob stories, and that peddling a sob story will increase your chances. The show is losing whatever credibility it has left. We all know about the process, and contestants seeing "record producers" and X-Factor producers as a first audition, and we all accept that because we do enjoy some of the sillier auditions. We even allow the judges to say things like "these auditions are awful", and "this is a terrible day for auditions" when we know thousands of good singers are dumped in favour of the more out there auditions, and the judges know this, but we let them off because we enjoy watching the auditions. But this story, in my opinion, has confirmed that sob stories are given priority. Either you all knew this and I'm just naive, or the rest of you will be pretty annoyed that this has happened. My little rant over

Too true, the programe is a sham.

Has he been disqualified? Louis and co were all over him on Saturday's show.

I can't believe he lied that's so low....I thought he seemed like a humble guy well it just shows you...The programme is Bull.

which one was he?

I agree. It is disgusting

He can't have left an impression if you've forgotten him after three days

I dont know what to think ? when was his audtion filmed, it could have been months ago ? Maybe he got in touch with his dad after the audtion
If he did lie his father is abit low to land him in it IMO

One big fat... LOL!

It was such a crap sob story anyway. I know friends who have been adopted or have foster parents, and they don't keep going on about it or go on as if it is a struggling ordeal. Also, I had an inkling it was fake, just like the lot of them, although this one seemed more fake because it seemed like too much of a perfect package - they knew he would be popular with the voters, especially the women, so this story would back him even more.

I just find it hilarious because it really does confirm that they really do favour people who have a "disadvantage". I don't blame him, since I've heard people on this forum who are supposedly good, but didn't get through because they were "privelleged", etc...

I am shocked at his but I don't think he should be disqualified (if they are going to), I mean if the producers do favour sob stories over some talent then why not use this shallowness (on the producers part) to your advantage, I mean he was good singer and if it that is the only way to get through the audition then good on him. However, I do believe this lie was alittle insensitive to his parents. It makes them out to be uncaring which clearly they are not when his father is still in contact with him.

But his Dad said he had never been fostered lol.

Are they still at the Judges houses? If he is there then it will all come out on camera.

I agree the silly auditions are a sham. Always have been though.

Being accused of something does not necessarily mean he is guilty as charged. However, whatever the truth, I hope the producers of all reality shows will take note and ban all sob stories - they may not be able to stop people talking, but (at least at the audition stage) they can certainly make sure that none of them are shown on tv.

As for Alan being talented or not - I did think he had amazing eyes; his voice seemed ok'ish, but no better than loads others who do not get through.

It makes you wonder if Simon has heard about this and this is why he's come out with his 'no more sob stories' comment .

Well let's hope he means it.

yes that's a good point. Hope Simon sticks to his guns then!

And Alan shouldn't be disqualified - he has proven a point - that the sob stories work.

He seemed a nice guy to me on Saturday, if he purposefully lied thats really low
What's the true story?

I knew he was lying, it stuck out for that alone.

He was screwing his eyes up, trying to make himself look weepy. And he was giving Simon the full-stare treatment as he was talking.

His singing wasn't up to that much. And his story was garbled nonsense.

but yes. if the auditions are looking for sob stories, then you reap what you sow.

the audition process is just looking for good television, not good singers.

What WILL the folks at the Woolpack think?

I said another board "I bet it turns out he was never fostered" his "don't give me special treatment" comment said a lot. He wouldn't have brought it up if he didn't want special treatment and someone else commented that there a million and one other ways to get in contact with birth parents as opposed to an ITV show.

I hope this is the final nail in the X-factor sob-story coffin. It should have been dropped after that wench who was playing the sympathy card last year was exposed as a "happy-slapper" (which in actual fact was a brutal attack on someone).

You mean Emily? That was a disgrace She seemed REALLY sweet until the vile happy slapping thing
I said of Alan's story too... I didnt know if he was lying then but surely there are other ways to "make his real parents proud" and get in contact than go on an ITV talent show
As you say, maybe thats why Simon said no more sob stories.

My 20 year old daughter is a professional singer and has won many singing contests, the most recent being a pop idol on local radio where she beat over 3,000 contestants.
she auditioned for the x factor last year and was told by a researcher to have some singing lessons. Which is totally absurd when its meant to be about raw talent, on the same day she was rejected, the cameras were following round a young girl who was on the large side in a big prom dress, with her family, they had her singing and it was painfull, but all the time they were telling her how great she was and how far she was going to go. (this was last year im sure people remember). It shows what a total joke the audition process is, The show is just a deception trying to make us believe that the judges have no idea who they are about to see, when they are briefed before each act.

Apparently his foster parent is his nan:yawn: He talks to his mum and dad regularly:yawn:

I remember on Sat when the camera zoomed in on his tattered jeans, thinking then this is a load of bullex.

This 'Alan Turner' is in on the act, trust me.

They paid him a fortune to lie, audition and then, to get his dad on the X Factor saying how none of it's true.

It's something that's never been done before and this show thrives on juicy news stories, 90% of which are planned.

Really? Do you have insider info?