http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...cle1785505.ece

It's amazing how many finalists have had such a hard life and need this to prove themselves and beat the bullies...

...and someone singing for a dead relative...
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....ngs_for_you___

It's madness!

How is it a sob story when it hasn't came from Austins mouth? Someone else said it not him.

I'm sure Austin knows nothing about it and would never dream of milking something like that...

If id been at school with that dweeb id have struggled to resist to slap him around a bit.

And hopefully he will get 'knocked out' on saturday. *gets coat*

This is getting ridiculous, why do all these talent reality shows ALWAYS have a bully or hard upbringing story behind them ?? Why does that need to be known at all ?

Obviously they don't believe they are good enough to win on a talent alone which questions their ability at all to be honest.

I just find it really, really sad that these people use these sob stories to try and gain an advantage.

There are thousands and thousands of people who've lost loved ones, or were bullied at school and they're just getting on with life and not trying to use their 'heartache' to win a singing competition.

We don't need to know these people's backgrounds, all we should be voting on is their singing ability.

I don't care if they can sing like Frank Sinatra, if they try to sway me by throwing out a sob story they won't be getting my vote!

At this time he cannot talk about it without breaking down in

Don't you want to know more about them though? Don't get me wrong the sob stories do my head in especially the bullying ones - most kids get bullied at school for something - but I dont want them to just sing every week, thats boring. I like knowing more about them even if I do just take the p**s out of them for it!

me personally i cant see what the fuss is about Austen very average singer, very average looker and the personality of wet lettuce!

Dont know why your castigating Austin.

he hasnt advertised it himself has he??
its all "close pals" and "old schoolmates"cashing in,he may not even have wanted the public to know about this.

and anyway good on him if he has come through being bullied.he should be applauded for making a success of his life.

I would play it clever and every time I was interviewed I would state that "I'm doing this on talent and not relying on a sob story like "others" "

People would be so amazed at my refreshing attitude, they would vote for me regardless.

I won't need to name names just say that I don't have a sob story.

Shame all the rest who are using them.

I'm really glad I recieved this life changing bit of information today.

Yeah jesus, he hasnt said this himself. He can't help being bullied at school and it's obviously his old friend/bullie/teacher thats sold the story. I know where hes coming from. Bullying is a horrible almost life ruining thing. Im sure he wouldnt want those embarrassing pics of him surfacing either.