Simon Cowell breaks silence on Lucy Spraggan’s rape ordeal on X Factor

Simon Cowell has spoken out about Lucy Spraggan’s rape ordeal during her time on The X Factor.

The show creator, 63, has said what happened to the former contestant is both “horrific and heartbreaking”.

Lucy, now 31, said she was raped by a hotel porter during her time on Simon’s show in 2012.

The singer sensationally quit the competition during the live episodes, leaving many fans upset.

A statement later said Lucy had left after falling ill.

Now, Lucy has decided to speak out about what she really went through as a contestant, which has prompted Simon to respond.

In a statement, the talent show mogul told BBC News: “What happened to Lucy was horrific and heartbreaking.

“When I was given the opportunity to speak to Lucy, I was able to personally tell her how sorry I was about everything she has been through,

“Although we met under tragic circumstances, a genuine friendship and a mutual respect has developed between us.”

He went on to say: “Lucy is one of the most authentic, talented, and brave people I have ever met.

“Since we connected, I have had the honour to work with Lucy and I have always supported her wish to tell her story, as well as her efforts to bring about positive change.”

Lucy said she was raped after a night out celebrating fellow contestant Rylan Clark’s birthday at a Mayfair nightclub, which was also attended by members of the X Factor production team.

In her new memoir, Process: Finding My Way Through, she recalled how she she fell unconscious and was escorted by a member of the team back to the hotel, where a hotel porter offered to help get her to her room.

However, she claims the porter in question later used a “traceable keycard” to enter the room and attack her.

Lucy added: “I woke up the next day with this sense of sheer dread. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that level of confusion since.

“I knew that I’d been raped, but I could not process that. So I put my clothes on and went into autopilot.”

The singer, who was 20 at the time, said she felt “let down” by ITV as she claimed it was “inappropriate for anybody – including contestants – to be drunk.

“How can you fulfil your duty of care when free alcohol is involved?”

At the time, the production team called the police and an arrest was made.

The singer received both financial and medical support, but said she was not given support after her attacker was convicted.

Lucy has also recalled the moment she initially heard from Simon, who apologised for what had happened to her, despite him not being a judge on the show that year.

Speaking to the BBC, the musician said he gave her “everything that I needed in two words”.

Following Lucy’s book release, ITV have shared a lengthy statement about her ordeal.

As part of their words, they said: “To our knowledge, the assault was an event without precedent in the UK television industry. Whilst we believed throughout that we were doing our best to support Lucy in the aftermath of the ordeal, as Lucy thinks we could have done more, we must therefore recognise this.

“For everything Lucy has suffered, we are extremely sorry. Since then, we have done our very best to learn lessons from these events and improve our aftercare processes.

“Whilst we have worked hard to try and protect Lucy’s lifetime right to anonymity, we applaud her strength and bravery now that she has chosen to waive that right.”