X Factor Malta Faces Backlash After Airing Audition with Man Who Claims to be Ex-Gay

X Factor Malta has faced criticism for airing an audition with a man who claimed to be turned straight after finding God, reports Lovin Malta.

Matthew Grech told X Factor Judges that “I used to lead a homosexual lifestyle, and then I found God,” – speaking of the anti-gay group River of Love Christian Fellowship.

“For a long time I stopped following my passions to follow Jesus. There can be love between two men and two women, yes—but only friendship love. Everything else is a sin.”

He then sang Black Eyed Peas’ “Where Is The Love?”with two other singers. He made it through to the next round, yet none of the judges spoke out about his homophobic remarks.

“X Factor Malta should issue an apology for airing a contestant who’s homophobic/religious beliefs were given so much prominence on TVM. I was almost expecting him to sing ‘You raise me up’…oh and ‘Matthew, you were, are and will remain Gay and that’s a non-issue for us, hope it will become the same for you…” one Facebook user wrote.

“Someone enlighten me on how X Factor Malta decided it would be a good idea to keep in clips of a contestant’s audition tape in which he states that a relationship should only be between a man and a woman – something he learnt after deciding to follow a religious path,” wrote another.