X Factor hopeful Joseph Whelan has admitted Britain's most wanted criminal John Anslow helped fund his music career.
Joseph Whelan wowed the judges on The X Factor last night (Picture: ITV/PA)
The 26-year-old tool salesman from Wolverhampton impressed the judging panel with his version of Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love at the Manchester auditions on last night's show.
But it was guest judge Mel B who was really overwhelmed by the dad-of-one's performance.
'You smashed it. You're really hot, you've got great tattoos, you smash things up with tools... and then you sing! Done!,' she said.
'He's so likeable, he's one to watch,' Louis said afterwards.
However, the modest singer has since been tainted by his admission that Britain's most wanted criminal helped him on his way.
Introduced by Whelan's manager, Anslow coughed up £3,000 to help out the singer's old band who were preparing to release a charity record.
Tulisa Contostavlos and Mel B were thrilled with the tool salesman's performance (Picture: ITV)
Just months after his generosity, Anslow was arrested and charged over the shooting of father-of-two Richard Deakin at his home in July 2010.
In January this year a prison van taking Anslow to court was intercepted by armed men and he escaped.
He now has a £10,000 bounty on his head.
But Joe, who is also a professional cage fighter, insists he had no idea about his old friend's background.
He told the Sunday Mirror: 'My manager introduced me to John when I was in a heavy metal band called Dementia. He was pretty well known round the area, but no one really asked what he did.
'He used to turn up to our gigs in his Ferrari and would always buy everyone drinks. We all thought he was pretty cool. About two years ago we decided to bring out a charity single in aid of British troops in Afghanistan.
'We needed some funding and our agent decided to ask John. He immediately said yes. He was a big supporter of the troops and a fan of the band.
'He handed £3,000 over like it was nothing. All he asked was for us to put his name in the album credits, which we were more than happy to do.'
He added: 'Last summer I heard he had been arrested. It was a real shock. Then in January I heard he'd escaped. Hearing him described as the UK's most wanted man is pretty weird. I mean he was always very nice to us and he really helped us out with the album.'
Police are still hunting Anslow, 32.
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