Wagner Carrilho - a colourful X Factor carnival

Millions of viewers across the UK are gripped by Wagner fever - but how much do fans really know about the man behind the moustache and medallions? Charlotte Cross and Louise Jew find out.

He was bullied at school, moved to the Midlands for love and watches his weight by ordering just three chips with his supper.

Welcome to the world of Wagner, the Black Country's unlikeliest pop star. Close friends today revealed how passionate Wagner Carrilho left behind sunny Brazil to set up home in the Midlands - all for the love of a woman.

They say his spontaneous decision to leave behind Rio de Janeiro was typical of the flamboyant X Factor star, who is fuelled by his passion, for life, music, and his three-year-old son - the "driving force" behind his bid for stardom.

Friend Ian Fleming, from Rowley Regis, said Wagner, of Pensnett, "adored" his son, who lives with his former partner.

"The reason he is on X Factor is for him - not himself and not just to be famous," he said.

"That boy is his absolute reason for being out there and doing what he's doing. The only reason he wants to make money is so he can buy him toys and give him the best life he can.

"There isn't one conversation I've had with him where he hasn't mentioned his little boy."

He had been forging a career as a hunky male model during his 20s and early 30s, often with multiple women on his arm - one of whom was rich enough to buy him his pet lion, Jungle, and help feed him.

Then - in the true spirit of a passionate Brazilian - he fell in love with an English girl, Trudi Brass, who now lives in a large Edwardian home in Milford Road, Harborne, Birmingham, and leads masterclasses in physio and movement at Birmingham Conservatoire.

Mr Fleming said Wagner did not like to dwell on the details, but said when the time had come for her to go home he impulsively decided to hop on a plane and join her in the West Midlands.