Lucy Spraggan, a former contestant on the popular talent show X Factor, has bravely come forward to disclose that she was raped by a hotel porter while participating in the ITV program in 2012. The 31-year-old singer shared her traumatic experience in an interview with The Guardian and detailed the assault in her newly released memoir titled “Process: Finding My Way Through.”
Spraggan recounted that the incident occurred after a night of celebration at a Mayfair nightclub, where X Factor contestants, including herself, were in attendance alongside members of the show’s production team. The attack took place when she fell unconscious and was escorted back to her hotel by a production team member. Once at the hotel, a porter offered to assist her in reaching her room. However, he later used a “traceable keycard” to gain access to her room and assault her.
The singer, who was 20 years old at the time, woke up the following day feeling an overwhelming sense of dread and confusion. She acknowledged that she knew she had been raped but struggled to process the experience. Despite the ordeal, Spraggan put on her clothes and went about her day in a state of shock.
While the production team promptly contacted the police, Spraggan expressed her disappointment with ITV, stating that it was inappropriate for anyone, including contestants, to be intoxicated when a duty of care should have been exercised. She criticised the availability of free alcohol and questioned how proper care could be ensured under such circumstances.
Although her attacker was apprehended and convicted, Spraggan felt let down by the lack of support she received afterward. She mentioned that she did not receive any contact or assistance from the production team or ITV to inquire about her well-being or provide rehabilitation or ongoing mental health treatment.
Spraggan left The X Factor during the live shows, citing illness as the reason. However, she now reveals that a side effect of a drug used to prevent HIV, which she took in the aftermath of the assault, rendered her too unwell to continue. At the time, she wanted to disclose the real reason for her exit but was advised against it due to concerns about the impact on her future career.
With her memoir, Spraggan aims to rebuild herself by sharing her truth and shedding light on the events that led to her departure from The X Factor. Despite the challenges she has faced, she went on to achieve success in the music industry, with two top-10 albums in the UK charts.
Spraggan’s decision to speak out now marks the beginning of a new era for her, as she described it on social media. She emphasised the importance of protecting her mental health and headspace, announcing her temporary break from social media.
In response to the revelations, ITV expressed deep compassion for Spraggan and commended her resilience and bravery. The network clarified that the duty of care for program contributors primarily fell under the responsibility of Thames and Syco, the production companies behind The X Factor. ITV emphasized its commitment to implementing robust oversight procedures to safeguard the mental health and welfare of participants.
Fremantle, the TV company that produced The X Factor for ITV, acknowledged the distressing nature of the assault suffered by Spraggan and expressed deep regret for any insufficiencies in their support. They recognised the need for continuous review and improvement of their aftercare processes and applauded Spraggan’s strength in waiving her right to anonymity.
