Frankie Cocozza admits cocaine addiction but wants to quit now he's a dad

Controversial former X Factor contestant Frankie Cocozza has admitted that he is addicted to cocaine, but wants to stay clean for the sake of his child.

The 29-year-old singer made the confession while speaking to personal trainer James Smith on his podcast this week.

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Cocozza appeared on The X Factor in 2011, but was kicked off the show amid his drug use, which he boasted about in front of production staff.

"I'm a drug addict. Simple as that. I just am. I love cocaine. I'm sorry, I do," the performer admitted to Smith on the podcast.

The star confessed he'd still be taking cocaine "if the money hadn't run out", but he said the birth of son Frankie Jr in May 2019 had changed his perspective.

"I have made a conscious effort to try and stop since the bubba’s been born," said Cocozza.

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He added: "I feel bad because I’m saying I love it and that, but I know what I need to do as a dad now, and that’s not to do it."

Elsewhere in the interview, Cocozza admitted that people would be surprised if they heard the names of some of the famous faces he took cocaine with during the height of his fame.

Cocozza also claimed he was promised £1,500 if he kissed Geordie Shore star Holly Hagan in front of photographers while partying at a nightclub.

He said: "This little ratty geezer turns up in this s****y little motor. He goes: 'Here you go, I’ve only got £1,100. I’ll give you £400 in a cheque'.

"He’s like ‘go and stand over there’ and he’s literally standing behind his car door taking photos of us and I’m just necking off with her, against a wall, in the middle of London."

Read more: Simon Cowell reveals how he'd change The X Factor

After he was ejected from The X Factor, Cocozza entered the Celebrity Big Brother house and finished as the runner-up of the 2012 series behind Loose Women star Denise Welch.

He subsequently returned to music as the lead singer of Telescreen and now lives in Australia with his wife Bianca Murphy.

Watch: Lottie Moss reveals she's in rehab for cocaine addiction