Not that I consider this particularly newsworthy as an 'X Factor report', I have still found the following story amusing! Who would have thought that reality shows could be helping the coalition crack down on benefit claimants...
It has been revealed that X Factor finalist Wagner Fiuza-Carrilho, 54, has been claiming incapacity benefit since injuring his shoulder last year. He has had two operations on the shoulder, the second in January of this year.
As part of the X Factor, Wagner attends the gym, and gives rather energetic performances on the live shows - which has called into question his acceptance of these benefits. The Department of Work and Pensions appeared quite open minded when speaking to The Mailonline, saying: 'People's conditions change all the time. When new information comes to light, we reassess their fitness for work.' I'm sure they will.
This, however, wouldn't be the first case where a reality show has exposed benefit claims. In 2009, Britain's Got Talent entrant Fred Bower, 74, who received disabilty allowance, wowed the audience when performing a breakdance. Unfortunately for Fred, it was noticed that his injured leg was obviously not holding him back as much as he had stated. He had to pay back £3,000.
If David Cameron is looking for a clever way to form an attack on benefit fraudsters, I would suggest he employ Simon Cowell.
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