X Factor: Danny Tetley and his dad came out as gay together
Danny Tetley is a finalist on the X Factor. (ITV)
X Factor finalist Danny Tetley has revealed he came out as gay to his father, who then came out to him.
The “strange moment,” as Tetley described it to The Sun on November 11, took place in Los Angeles in 2001, after a night of drinking at a gay bar they stumbled upon.
“The drinks flowed and we started talking about the men in there who were handsome,” the gay singer recalled.
“That led to a conversation back at the hotel and we were honest with each other for the first time.
“It was quite a strange moment—there aren’t many fathers and sons who are gay,” he added.
X Factor star Danny Tetley ended up performing at his father’s gay wedding. (ITV)
Tetley, who is an X Factor finalist in Ayda Field’s Overs group, first realised he was gay when he was four years old.
He told The Sun he had “questions” about his father’s sexuality over the years, but his dad didn’t open about it before their trip together to the US.
“It must have been tough for my dad growing up in the era he did and not being able to be himself,” Tetley said.
15 years later, the X Factor singer performed Gladys Knight’s “You’re The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me” at his dad’s same-sex wedding.
“That experience with my dad made us so much closer. We’re really good friends and I’m so happy for him,” said the gay singer, who recently performed Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” on X Factor.
As for his personal life, Tetley said gay men have approached him since he first appeared on X Factor, but he is currently focused on the talent competition, which is due to end in three weeks’ time.
When was X Factor’s Danny Tetley on Pop Idol?
Tetley is not new to the world of televised singing competition, having tried his luck at Pop Idol in 2001—the year he came out together with his dad.
“Simon was very nice but back then it was a very image led business,” Tetley said.
X Factor finalist Danny Tetley opened up about his relationship with his dad. (ITV)
Tetley stunned the X Factor judges during his audition with his powerful performance of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from the musical Dreamgirls.
Cowell was so impressed he apologised for not giving him a shot on Pop Idol.
“I remember saying to you 17 years ago, you should come back,” the music guru said, quoted in the Metro newspaper.
He added: “Look, I’ve felt there’s something different happening in the music industry. I apologise for 17 years ago.”
