X Factor's mockney 'gangster' rapper has an impeccably middle-class past: Honey G's dazzling bling may have blinded viewers to her rather incongruous background

Honey G is a grammar school educated, former county tennis champion
Rapper's real name is the decidedly more formal Anna Georgette Gilford
Childhood photos show her as a ballet-loving Home Counties schoolgirl
Bookmakers have slashed her odds of winning X Factor from 100/1 to 12/1

Published: 23:23 GMT, 4 November 2016 | Updated: 12:53 GMT, 5 November 2016

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Some have lambasted Honey G's singing and ‘terrible rapping’ on the X Factor; others have praised her ‘kooky’ style and ‘street slang’

With her garish tracksuits, gold chains and big sunglasses, Honey G has been – quite literally – the stand-out contestant on this year’s X Factor.

The rapper’s eye-catching outfits, ‘mockney’ accent and ‘gangster’ gestures have won her legions of fans – with judge Simon Cowell even calling her ‘the greatest’ after one performance.

But all this dazzling bling may have blinded viewers to her rather incongruous background.

For the 35-year-old is really a middle-class, grammar school educated, former county tennis champion with a penchant for ballet.

And her real name is the decidedly more formal Anna Georgette Gilford.

Childhood photos show her to have been a Home Counties schoolgirl who attended the exclusive Dr Challoner’s in Buckinghamshire.

In one picture, she is seen smiling angelically for the camera in a smart pinafore and school tie.

Another shows Miss Gilford as a youngster, practising her ballet in a pink tutu.

Honey G, whose real name is Anna Georgette Gilford, was a Home Counties schoolgirl (pictured left) who attended the exclusive Dr Challoner’s in Buckinghamshire. She graduated from Salford University with an upper second degree in popular music in 2004 (pictured right)

The 35-year-old is really a middle-class, grammar school educated, former county tennis champion with a penchant for ballet

While such classical training is not commonly associated with rappers, Miss Gilford has always been active – which may account for some of her more energetic dance moves on the ITV show.

A cutting from her local newspaper shows her proudly clutching a trophy after being crowned Middlesex’s under-ten county tennis champion.

Growing up, she was also a talented netball player. Meanwhile the beginnings of the Honey G character are perhaps evident in a photo of her happily riding her BMX bicycle, wearing her now-trademark sunglasses, baseball cap and trainers.

Another picture shows Miss Gilford beaming in a mortar board at her graduation from Salford University with an upper second degree in popular music in 2004.

It was here the character of Honey G was truly born, as she developed a love of music and DJ-ing. Performances soon followed at BBC Radio 1 and the Ministry of Sound nightclub.

However her intelligence has prompted some viewers to speculate that Miss Gilford’s appearance on The X Factor is simply an elaborate ruse to subvert the music industry. While some have lambasted her singing and ‘terrible rapping’, others have praised her ‘kooky’ style and ‘street slang’.

Miss Gilford (pictured far right) as a youngster, practising her ballet in a pink tutu

The beginnings of the Honey G character are perhaps evident in this photo of her happily riding her BMX bicycle

American rapper 50 Cent has publicly supported Miss Gilford, and fellow rapper Snoop Dogg has also mooted a collaboration.

Bookmakers have slashed Miss Gilford’s chances of winning the show from 100/1 to 12/1 in the final next month.

However pop star Lily Allen recently criticised the singer, claiming her performances were ‘offensive’ to black people.

On the subject of Miss Allen, Miss Gilford said: ‘She obviously has not done her homework. It’s offensive when people call me a joke act as I have been a musician my whole life. I’m a heavyweight producer.’

Miss Gilford, who is mentored by Sharon Osbourne (pictured right) on the show, is now 12/1 to win the final next month

She also insists that she has not deliberately cultivated her working-class stage accent.

She said: ‘I spent a lot of time when I was younger on the underground club scene, and started going out at the age of 14 because I was tall and got in everywhere.

‘It was all totally natural and I picked up street talk and the lingo and it became part of who I am. I’m not a fake and I really want to sell millions of records and make hits.’

When not on stage, an online profile shows that Miss Gilford runs a recruitment firm, ARG Search Limited.