X Factor star looks just like Robbie Williams 13 years after show – do you remember him?
X FACTOR fans will be left doing a double take after seeing these uncanny pictures of a former contestant.
The reality show singer is the spitting image of pop legend Robbie Williams in the snaps, which were taken abroad.
The man behind the sunglasses and dark hair is Frankie Cocozza, who made it to the X Factor live shows in 2011.
Wild child Frankie now lives in Australia and he has ditched his Russell Brand-style mop of hair.
Instead, the musician – who aspired to be a rock star – looks more like Robbie than Russell these days.
In one photo, taken during a break to Bali, Frankie could easily be mistaken for the former Take That star as he relaxed on a sun lounger.
Another shot shows him pulling Rob’s iconic stare while kicking back in a chair close to Bondi Beach in Sydney.
One comment on the Instagram shot read: “Thought that was Robbie then.”
Another of Frankie’s followers added: “Looks like a young Robbie Williams!”
And a third chimed in: “Thought this was Robbie! Double!!”
Frankie, 31, shot to fame when his first audition for The X Factor was aired to the nation 13 years ago.
He was 18 and living in Brighton at the time and told host Dermot O’Leary: “I see myself as a bit of a liability, but I can admit that.”
He said he ‘just wanted to be famous’, adding: “I wanna be huge. I look forward to all the money and the cars and showing off.
“But mainly, I’m more looking forward to the girls more than anything.”
He told judges Louis Walsh, Tulisa Contostavlos, Kelly Rowland and Gary Barlow that he had the name of seven girls tattooed on his backside after working as a holiday rep in Spain.
Frankie impressed them with his rendition of Valerie by Amy Winehouse and he even found himself performing to the real Robbie Williams at Judges’ Houses.
Gary was made the mentor of the Boys category and had invited his former Take That bandmate along to help him pick his finalists in Los Angeles.
However, Frankie’s TV fame was short-lived, as he was booted off The X Factor during the live shows for breaking competition rules.
It was later revealed that he had boasted about using cocaine in front of production staff.
Robbie Williams' wild love life
Robbie Williams has bragged about bedding fans and 'can't remember' how many women he has slept with. But Robbie has had some rather high profile relationships, too.
Mel C: Spice Girl Mel found herself dating her teenage pin-up in 1997. But their romance was short-lived due to their busy schedules. Melanie later admitted in her memoir: “Nothing came of it, and it broke my heart.”
Nicole Appleton: Robbie’s relationship with All Saints star Nicole was so serious that they even got engaged. But it all came to a painful end in 1999. Nicole later admitted she had aborted their baby, claiming she was forced to by her record company. They then split. Nicole wrote in hers and sister Natalie’s book Together in 2002: “After having my abortion I was in shock. I couldn’t believe what I had done. I wanted to kill myself.”
Andrea Corr: Robbie reportedly hooked up with The Corrs’ Andrea Corr in 1999. He sent her 101 roses, asking: “What can I do to make you love me?Andrea allegedly replied with a spiky cactus and a note reading: “Entertain me.” Andrea later denied that they had dated.
Geri Halliwell: Robbie was first linked to Geri after she was seen leaving his home at 1am in 2000. They later confirmed their relationship while on holiday in the South of France. Robbie has since revealed he ditched Geri after being told she was tipping off the press about their relationship – which was completely untrue.
Nicole Kidman: Robbie and Nicole were rumoured to have dated in 2001 after they duetted on Somethin’ Stupid. Both remained tight-lipped, although Robbie has since said of the claims: “As Bill Clinton would say, I never had any relationship with any of these women.”
Rachel Hunter: Robbie was quick to move in on model Rachel following her split with Rod Stewart. The pair dated for 10 months in the early noughties and it was the real deal. Rachel later admitted: “He was a very big love of my life.”
Kylie Minogue: Robbie was romantically linked to Aussie pop star Kylie in 2002. The pair had recorded a hit single together and were rumoured to be dating. He has since admitted he “messed it up” by failing to act cool around her. When asked if anything happened, Robbie said: “Not as much as I wanted to be unfortunately.”
Cameron Diaz: This one lasted as quickly as it had begun. The pair were spotted snogging on the beach in California in 2003…but it seemed to go no further.
Lindsay Lohan: In 2006, Robbie was linked to US star Lindsay Lohan. The pair struck up a friendship in rehab. Neither have confirmed if it went any further than just pals, however.
Ayda Field: Robbie finally settled down and married The One in 2010. He had met actress Ayda four years earlier and stopped sowing his seed elsewhere. The couple now have four children together and she laughs about his wild past. Speaking in his podcast, Robbie said: “Ayda says that every time we turn on the TV there’s a woman I’ve slept with, and it’s true. Luckily she has a great sense of humour. What happened before we met doesn’t interest her.”
Frankie went on to live a life of hard partying and famously later confessed to being a drug addict, going on a six-night cocaine bender and bedding seven women during his stint on the show.
Frankie moved to Australia with his now ex-wife Bianca, who he married in Brighton, and the pair share a young son called Frankie Jr.
He is now in a relationship with lingerie designer Emma Stubbs and posts pictures of their sun-kissed lifestyle on social media.
Two years ago, Frankie spoke candidly about his substance abuse and admitted: “I’m a drug addict.”
Appearing on The James Smith Podcast, the Celebrity Big Brother runner-up said: “I’m a drug addict. Simple as that. I just am. I love cocaine. I’m sorry, I do.
“I know that if money hadn’t run out, I’d still be snorting gear. It’s a fact.”
Frankie went on to say that he was trying to stay clean for the sake of his young son, Frankie Jr.
“I have made a conscious effort to try and stop since the bubba’s been born,” he affirmed.
“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.”