Lucy Spraggan reveals sexual assault while competing on ‘X Factor’

nme.com:

X Factor contestant Lucy Spraggan has revealed that raped by a hotel porter while competing on the talent show in 2012.The singer – who is now aged 31 – has detailed the attack in her new memoir Process: Finding My Way Through, and shared that she was assaulted after a night out celebrating fellow contestant Rylan Clark’s birthday in Mayfair, as ITV reported.Aged 20 at the time, Spraggan said that she fell unconscious during the party and was later escorted back to her hotel by a member of the ITV production team and a hotel porter.

The porter, however, later used a “traceable keycard” to enter her room and attack her.In the memoir, she also recalls how she took a drug to prevent HIV after the attack and later experienced side effects that made her too unwell to continue the show.

She also recited how she received little support from the production team, and was told that being honest about her experience may hinder her career.As told to The Guardian, the singer spoke of how she felt let down by ITV and the show, writing: “It was inappropriate for anybody – including contestants – to be drunk.How can you fulfil your duty of care when free alcohol is involved?”Announcing the memoir on her Instagram page, she explained to fans that she knew for a long time that she wanted to share her experience, but was unable to write it “until I was ready”. “The support I have already received from you has been incredible and has affirmed my readiness,” she said.