Robbie Williams criticised for deadnaming trans X Factor contestant

Robbie Williams has been criticised for his treatment of a transgender contestant on UK television in his new role as a judge on The X Factor.

Contestant Felix Shepard, a transgender man, impressed the judges and the audience with his performance of All I Want by Kodaline – earning a standing ovation.

“I’m from Birmingham. I’m currently studying a degree in songwriting and I’m loving every second of it,” Shepard said in his introduction.

“I’m kind of here today to prove to people that I’m more than just a transgender guy. We can be, kind of, overlooked, I suppose.”

Ahead of the performance Williams asked Shepard, “So when you were born, what was your name?”

After Shepard shared their dead name, Williams asked when Felix knew he was Felix, who then shared their experiences with coming out at school.

X Factor fans have taken to social media to share their disappointment with Williams and the broadcaster for forcing Shepard to dead name himself.

#XFactor okay so Felix is lovely and I’m really proud to see another trans person on the TV, but has No-one told Robbie Williams it’s considered pretty darn rude to ask someone’s birth name? That’s quite an on-the-spot situation to be put in, having to explain oneself.

— Alexandra (@alex_staddon) September 8, 2018

so robbie just asked a trans man’s deadname without a thought of “oh, you don’t have to discuss that info with us if you don’t want to since it is personal”. im really : /// about this #XFactor

— katie (@dothepachacutii) September 8, 2018

I just got told that Robbie Williams asked a Trans man his dead name on #XFactorUK #XFactor

Disgusting. It’s a dead name for a reason.

— Daniel Reid (@DanielCraigReid) September 8, 2018

Louis was the only one able to make Felix feeling comfortable…
He was very sensitive, as always after all…
This sensitivity he has it’s something special and definitely comes from experience…#Xfactor #LouisXFactor #louistomlinson #LGBTQ pic.twitter.com/saxtqtA0jK

— Ever Since New York (@JustHoldMalia) September 9, 2018