Danyl Johnson’s mum has hit out at X Factor judge Dannii Minogue, for addressing his sexuality on last week’s show.

Maria Burgess told The Mirror: “If it was supposed to be a joke then it wasn’t very funny – and it didn’t come across as a joke to me.

“Dannii’s been around the industry for long enough to know what you do and don’t say. Danyl’s sexuality isn’t an issue.

“He likes men and women. Are we going to castigate him for it? We’re all aware people have prejudices so why draw attention to it?

“Lots of guys change the lyrics in songs – Will Young, Boyzone. Why would he sing it to a man instead of a woman? It was very hard to see him up there alone and upset.

“I wanted to go up there and give him a hug but I knew I couldn’t so I just tried to make eye contact with him so he knew I was there.”

Burgess also admitted that Danyl has always been open about his sexuality.

She explained: “He sat me down when he was 17 and said, ‘There’s something I need to tell you’. There was no drama, it was very casual. It wasn’t because I didn’t know. It was more just to clarify the situation because it was what Danyl wanted to do.

“He told me he was bisexual and I said, ‘That’s fine. If you’re happy, I’m happy’.

“Your kids’ sex life isn’t something you’d usually discuss unless there’s a major problem. That’s no different if your son is gay or straight.”