Lucy Spraggan, former contestant on the X Factor, has revealed that she dropped out of the show in 2012 after being raped by a hotel porter. The singer, now 31, shared her heartbreaking story in her new memoir, Process: Finding My Way Through.
Spraggan explained that the attack took place after a night out celebrating her fellow contestant Rylan Clark’s birthday at a Mayfair nightclub. Members of the X Factor production team were also in attendance. After the night out, Spraggan fell unconscious and was taken back to the hotel by a production team member. It was there that the hotel porter offered to assist her in getting to her room.
Tragically, the porter later used a traceable keycard to enter Spraggan’s room and assault her. She woke up the next day feeling a profound sense of dread and confusion. Although she knew she had been raped, she found it difficult to process the traumatic experience and simply put her clothes on and went on autopilot.
The production team called the police, and an arrest was made promptly. However, Spraggan felt that they were ill-prepared to handle the situation. She expressed her disappointment with ITV, the network behind the X Factor, for allowing contestants and staff to consume alcohol, arguing that it compromised their ability to fulfill their duty of care.
In the aftermath of the assault, Spraggan received financial and medical support. However, she felt let down when she did not receive any support or outreach after her attacker was convicted. No one from the show contacted her to inquire about her well-being or offer her rehabilitation or ongoing mental health treatment. She felt completely alone.
During the X Factor live shows, Spraggan cited illness as the reason for her departure. In reality, she was too unwell to continue due to a side effect of a drug she was taking to prevent HIV, a condition exacerbated by the assault. She was advised at the time not to disclose the real reason for her exit as it could have a negative impact on her career.
Spraggan’s courage to speak out now comes from her desire to rebuild herself and move forward. She hopes that by telling her truth, she can find healing. Since leaving the X Factor, Spraggan has achieved success as a singer-songwriter, with two top-10 albums in the UK charts.
ITV issued a statement expressing deep compassion for Spraggan and commending her resilience. They emphasized their commitment to implementing suitable oversight procedures to protect the mental health and welfare of participants. Fremantle, the TV company behind the X Factor, addressed the assault as a horrific event and acknowledged that they could have done more to support Spraggan.
Simon Cowell, the creator of the X Factor, expressed his personal apologies to Spraggan and praised her strength and bravery. He has developed a genuine friendship and respect for her since their initial meeting.
Lucy Spraggan’s revelation serves as a reminder of the importance of providing support and care to individuals who have experienced trauma. Her bravery in sharing her story can help raise awareness and encourage positive change within the entertainment industry and beyond.
