Gay X Factor contestant and boyfriend in ‘horrific’ homophobic knife attack
A former X Factor contestant and his boyfriend have said they were the target of a homophobic knife attack in their own home.
Craig Colton, a finalist on the show in 2011, told his more than 200,000 Twitter followers about the shocking attack, which took place in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The 28-year-old wrote: “After a horrible night of being attacked with a knife and homophobic rants at our own home, we find out the police can’t do anything ?”.
His boyfriend, beautician Shane Cooper, also spoke out about the traumatising experience.
“Completely traumatised about this scary and horrific incident that took place in our home at 3am!,” he said.
“We have never felt so in danger ?”
Cooper, who has performed non-surgical procedures on models Katie Price and Bianca Gascoigne, as well as Towie star Ferne McCann, said the incident was terrifying enough to make the couple leave their house for the night.
To a fan who expressed their concern, he said: “We are not at our home as feel in danger, both very sad and unsettled.
“Worse experience of our lives!”
A representative for the singer told Mirror Online that the couple felt let down by police.
“Craig and Shane would like to thank everybody who has shown concern and sent love following recent events,” they said, before revealing that the incident nearly turned out much worse.
“Both Craig and Shane narrowly escaped the events unharmed but are limited on what they can say as they are still waiting for confirmation via the police,” they said.
“The situation was a violent homophobic unprovoked attack at their home in Kent at 3am on Sunday morning.
“The attack was lead by an early-20s female wielding a knife,” the spokesperson alleged.
“Craig and Shane have been working closely with police who have been very supportive, however they feel failed by the justice system as the female has since been released on bail for only section Four of the public order act for homophobic slur and possibly escaped charges for attempted knife attack.”
Colton, a former biscuit factory worker turned hunky singer, came out as gay while on the reality programme, later revealing to Now Magazine that he was also attracted to women.
However, the singer, who was mentored on the show by Take That lead singer Gary Barlow, eventually went out during week seven of the contest.
Little Mix, perhaps the most successful contestants to ever enter X Factor, went on to win the season.
