Stone Temple Pilots Deny Reports They've Recruited 'X Factor' Contestant As New Frontman

Veteran US rock outfit Stone Temple Pilots have denied reports that they have recruited a one-time contestant from the US X Factor show as their new frontman. 

After Entertainment Tonight reported that STP had settled on bringing in Jeff Gutt as lead singer, the band hit back, insisting no decisions have been made. 

"The band has been rehearsing with several singers over the past few weeks," a representative for Stone Temple Pilots told Entertainment Weekly in a statement.

"They haven’t made a decision yet."

The statement came after it was reported that Gutt, who finished as a runner-up on the singing competition in 2013, had been writing new material with STP band members Dean DeLeo, Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz over the last few months. 

It was also reported that the group were planning to tour for the first time together next year. 

Stone Temple Pilots have been on the hunt for a new singer since Chester Bennington departed late last year, citing a desire to focus more on his own band, Linkin Park. 

It was only weeks after Bennington's announcement that former STP frontman Scott Weiland was found dead on a tour bus.