X FACTOR star Wagner has had death threats after being mistaken for the mutinous Russian mercenaries who go by the same name.
He is now brushing up on his martial arts skills fearing an attack by Vladimir Putin-backed assassins.
X Factor legend Wagner says he has receive death threats due to a mix-up with the Russian mercenary group
The 66-year-old singer — whose full name is Wagner FiuzaCarrilho — received threats to cut off his testicles and those of “his troops” following Yevgeny Prigozhin’s mobsters’ aborted march on the Russian capital last month.
He also believes his website and phone have been targeted by Moscow.
Wagner, currently in his native Brazil, is seeking out the British Embassy there to report fears he is a marked man.
He is so worried about being assassinated that he plans to change his appearance to confuse would-be killers.
He said yesterday: “Ever since the Wagner mercenary group launched its assault on Moscow I have had death threats from Russia.
“Messages warn me and my troops we are going to be assassinated and castrated. I have noticed changes on my phone and other devices, and the Kremlin must be hacking me.
“I can’t explain it any other way — this is the first time this has ever happened to me.
“I am worried about my website being hacked or taken down as it’s very important for me to entertain my fans across the UK, and I won’t let this happen.
“I would like Vladimir Putin to know that I have nothing to do with the Wagner mercenary group — but I am on the side of the Ukrainian people, and my heart goes out to those suffering in this catastrophic war.
“I am also thinking about changing my image — I’m going back to my original Wagner moustache from the X Factor days, so Putin doesn’t recognise me.”
Married dad-of-two Wagner, who finished sixth on 2010’s X Factor, made headlines earlier this year after being forced to close an Only Fans page days after it launched.
He believes being back in the news led Russian spies to confuse him with Wagner mercenaries.
But the defiant entertainer said: “I am a black belt in karate and I will use my martial arts to take on and defeat any Russian assassins.
“I am ready for them. I have my swords and my training if they decide to come for me.”
Wagner group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, pictured in his underwear, launched a brief rebellion against Moscow
