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X Factor finalist looks unrecognisable seven years after drug controversy as he releases new album

X Factor finalist looks unrecognisable seven years after drug controversy as he releases new album

The Irish Suna day ago
ONE of the finalists of The X Factor looks almost unrecognisable seven years after a drug controversy.
He auditioned for the ITV show three times before finally getting to the live shows in 2018.
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Anthony Russell came third on the 15th series of The X Factor
Credit: Rex Features
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He now looks almost unrecognisable after he was kicked off the live tour in a drugs scandal
Credit: Instagram
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He recently performed at the Berlin Music Video Awards
Credit: Instagram
After his tenure on the show, he now looks completely different with long hair and a beard.
In a video promoting his new music, he wore a grey tracksuit combo, monochrome t-shirt and black trainers with fluorescent
He captioned the clip: "2nd Album Street Songs Project is out now everywhere can't believe the response it had, nothin but love keep streaming."
READ MORE ON X FACTOR STARS
In another snap on social media, he donned a heavy leather jacket, grey jeans and thick trainers after he performed at the Berlin Music Video Awards.
He originally auditioned for X Factor in 2007 in front of
He re-auditioned for the talent competition in 2017 where three of the judges said yes.
In 2018, he was brought back to be mentored by Louis Tomlinson where he finished third in the live final.
Most read in News TV
The One Direction star
He paid for the aspiring singer to get clean, and was left in tears when Anthony returned to audition.
X Factor's Louis Tomlinson in tears at Anthony Russell's audition
The Sun exclusively revealed that Anthony was kicked off The X Factor Live tour after
We exclusively revealed that
Just hours before he was due on stage in Hull, the singer agreed to leave the touring show on February 25, 2019.
He broke his silence after allegedly being
as he claimed that he was "dealing with his issues."
Winners of The X Factor
WHO won each season of the long-running ITV talent competition?
Series one (2004):
Series two (2005): Shayne Ward
Series three (2006):
Series four (2007):
Series five (2008):
Series six (2009):
Series seven (2010):
Series eight (2011): Little Mix
Series nine (2012): James Arthur
Series 10 (2013):
Series 11 (2014): Ben Haenow
Series 12 (2015): Louisa Johnson
Series 13 (2016): Matt Terry
Series 14 (2017):
Series 15 (2018):
A show source told us at the time: "We found suspicious plastic bags with a white powder in them.
"We think it was cocaine and we obviously couldn't keep him on the tour."
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The star is still very much involved in music
Credit: Instagram/Anthony Russell
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He now sports a very different look than his days on ITV
Credit: Instagram
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Anthony auditioned for The X Factor three times
Credit: Rex Features
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Louis Tomlinson paid for him to go to rehab before he was brought back to the show
Credit: Rex Features
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