X Factor Malta criticised for airing ‘ex-gay’ contestant

Viewers have lashed out at X Factor Malta after it aired an audition of a man, who said he used to be gay before becoming a Christian.

X Factor hopeful Matthew Grech said he stopped living as a gay man after joining anti-LGBT+ group River of Love Christian Fellowship, reports Lovin Malta. 

Grech’s audition was aired on YouTube and Facebook, but the footage has since been removed following criticism.

Grech is a member of anti-LGBT+ group River of Love Christian Fellowship. (TVM/YouTube)

“I used to lead a homosexual lifestyle, and then I found God,” Grech said in the video.

“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.”

In his audition, Grech sang Black Eyed Peas’ “Where Is The Love?” in a group with two other singers.

Three out of the four judges gave Grech a “yes” vote, but none of them commented on his anti-gay remarks.

The advertising or promotion of gay conversion therapy has been illegal in Malta since 2016.

Viewers have criticised X Factor Malta for showing the audition.

Viewers criticised the show for airing the audition. (Roger Tirazona/Facebook)