- Lucy Spraggan’s Brave Revelation: Former X Factor contestant shares her experience of being raped during the show
- Disappointment in Program’s Handling: Spraggan expresses disappointment in X Factor creators for their handling of the assault
- Acknowledging Responsibility: ITV and Fremantle acknowledge their duty of care towards program contributors and express condolences to Spraggan
Lucy Spraggan, a former contestant on X Factor, has disclosed she was raped by a hotel porter during the 2012 production of the ITV show.
She withdrew from the show, citing an illness at the time, but told the Guardian that the true reason was that she had been assaulted.
Spraggan expressed disappointment in the program’s creators.
The creator of X Factor, Simon Cowell, described what occurred to Spraggan as “horrific and heartbreaking.”
“When I had the opportunity to communicate with Lucy, I was able to personally express my regret for everything she has endured.
Lucy is one of the most genuine, talented, and courageous individuals I’ve ever encountered.
After a night out in central London celebrating Rylan Clark’s 25th birthday, 20-year-old Spraggan was assaulted.
The 31-year-old woman tells her tale for the first time in Process: Finding My Way Through.
When a hotel porter volunteered to take her to her room, a production crew member escorted her back.
She told the Guardian, “I awoke the next morning with an overwhelming feeling of dread.”
“I don’t believe I’ve ever again experienced that level of bewilderment. I was aware that I had been violated, but I was unable to comprehend that. So I donned my clothing and engaged the autopilot.”
Spraggan said the production team was “unprepared” for the situation, even though they called the police and made an arrest.
Spraggan received financial and medical assistance in the immediate aftermath of the crime. But the singer claims she received no assistance following the conviction of her assailant.
A spokesperson for ITV praised Spraggan for her “resilience and bravery” and added that the series was produced by Thames (a subsidiary of Fremantle) and Syco, which is owned by Simon Cowell.
These two organisations have “primary responsibility for the duty of care owed to all of its programme contributors.”
A Fremantle spokesperson stated, “To our knowledge, the assault was unprecedented in the UK television industry” and that the company “believed throughout that we were doing our best to support Lucy.
However, they added, “Since Lucy believes we could have done more, we must acknowledge this. For everything Lucy has endured, we extend our deepest condolences.
Since then, we have made every effort to learn from these events and enhance our aftercare procedures.
“Although we worked hard to protect Lucy’s lifetime right to anonymity, we applaud her courage and strength now that she has decided to forego it.”
