By Andrea Magrath


Too smooth? Marcus Collins has been accused of having backstage Botox injections before X Factor live shows


Gary Barlow has described his contestant Marcus Collins as a 'low maintenance' to mentor.

But the same may not be able to be said for the singer's beauty regime.

Eyebrows have been raised (perhaps not his) over allegations that the 23-year-old has been receiving backstage Botox injections.


The Daily Mirror claims that Marcus has had four jabs since the start of the live shows.

The paper quotes a show insider, who claimed: 'Marcus has admitted having Botox but it is not an official treatment set up by bosses.'

Botox injections work by temporarily paralysing muscles and are injected directly into the face to relax frown lines and smooth wrinkles.


Over the top: At just 23, the hairdresser would be considered far too young for the treatment

The Botox Factor: Kitty Brucknell admitted to having regular jabs prior to the series


However, surgeons do not generally recommend using Botox, a nerve poison, to patients under the age of 30.

Collins is not the first of this year's contestants to face criticism over getting the treatment at such a young age.

Kitty Brucknell has admitted to getting regular Botox-injections prior to the series.

'I frown when I’m on stage, and when I look back at tapes of myself I look really angry,' she has said in recent interviews.

'He's brilliant': During an appearance on Loose Women yesterday Gary Barlow described his contestant as 'low maintenance'


‘Someone suggested getting Botox and I thought, “That’s a really good idea.” I got a really top surgeon to do it in London.

A spokesperson for the X Factor said: 'A beautician is on site every week to offer contestants beauty treatments. We are not aware of any contestants having Botox while at the studios.'

Collins and his fellow quarter-finalists will perform twice on tonight's Guilty Pleasures and Heroes show.

Hot competition: Marcus was pictured arriving at the X Factor studios today ahead of tonight's Guilty Pleasures/ Heroes show


Yesterday he and mentor Gary appeared on Loose Women to promote their campaign to win the series as the competition heats up.

Barlow praised his contestant, saying: 'Marcus, you give him a job to do and he does it twice. He’s brilliant.

Marcus said: 'It’s a bit overwhelming sometimes but my dreams are coming true, it’s amazing, I can’t believe I’ve come this far.'




source:dailymail