The X Factor 2010?s Wagner has been claiming incapacity benefits whilst jumping and dancing around on stage on the show it has been revealed. According to The Sun, the 54-year-old Brazilian has been receiving weekly payments for a long-term shoulder injury since the show began.
An X Factor spokesperson told the paper: “We told him to talk to the benefits office. In terms of the show, clearly he was deemed physically fit to do the show because they all see the doctor. We wouldn’t put him on the show if we didn’t think he was fit enough.”
A source at the Department for Work and Pensions claimed Wagner had done “nothing wrong”, explaining: “He has kept the Jobcentre up to date about his singing. He is due to be re-assessed for his fitness.”
A close friend of the star told the tabloid: “I was stunned to see him on The X Factor throwing shapes and gyrating with all those scantily-clad dancers.
“As far as I was aware he was on incapacity benefit because his shoulder is so knackered.”
A spokesperson for the DWP would only say: “People’s conditions change all the time. When new information comes to light, we re-assess their fitness for work.”