Former X Factor contestant claims she was sexually harassed by fellow contestant

A former X Factor contestant has claimed that she was left crying herself to sleep at night during her time on the ITV reality show after a fellow contestant sexually harassed her throughout the competition.

The singer, who wishes to remain anonymous, was forced to live with the unnamed male, who allegedly demanded that she performed a sex act on him.

Speaking to The Mirror, the woman shared: “I cried myself to sleep most nights out of humiliation and desperation at the situation.

“I was made to feel like if I spoke up about what happened to me, or made a fuss, the bad press for the show could damage my chances.

“A male contestant who I hardly knew leaned over and suggested forcefully I perform a sex act on him, like it was normal and if I said no I was not playing the celebrity game properly.

“I felt sick and panicked but I told him I didn’t want to and pulled away. He then made it his business to humiliate and harass me for my whole time on the show. He carried a huge grudge and made my life very difficult.”

She also claims that the man would regularly humiliate her and he was only given a “rap on the knuckles” when she told a producer what was going on.

Despite the allegations, the woman was told that she had to remain in the X Factor contestants’ house if she wanted to stay in the competition, forcing her to live with the man.

However, she added that the harassment did stop once she made a producer aware and there is no suggestion that music mogul Simon Cowell knew what was going on.

The alleged incident took place over five years ago, with the woman making it to the final six in the competition.

A spokesperson for Freemantle media said: “We treat the safety and well-being of all our contestants with the highest priority.

“We always encourage anyone to come forward with concerns they may have and all concerns are taken very seriously and escalated where necessary.

“Despite being a historic complaint, if this person wishes to contact us we will investigate.”

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