X Factor star Chico 18 years after show, from near death experience to fitness career
ok.co.ukAfter his rise to fame after the quarter finals on the 2005 series of The X Factor, fans of the show have been left wondering whatever happened to Chico.
Famed for his number one hit It’s Chico Time, which knocked Madonna’s Sorry off the top spot, the cheeky chap left the spotlight behind when his singing career fizzled out.The 52-year-old, whose real name is Yousseph Slimani, was just 34 when he shot to fame on the ITV talent show alongside other memorable blasts from the past including winner Shayne Ward.The Welsh-born entertainer, who brought up in Morocco until the age of 14, trained as an electrical engineer but fame came calling and he applied for the show which saw his life change overnight.
He won the hearts of the nation with his chaotic antics including jumping into Sharon Osbourne’s pool during auditions, microphone in hand, and Simon Cowell even called him a ‘born entertainer.’ The star soon fell on troubled times though when his music fizzled out and he lost every penny he ever made from his singing career.
He turned to pantos and gameshow appearances to raise his profile and holiday camp shows helped him pay the bills, but worse was still to come.The star was dealt the ultimate blow when during one of the fittest times of his life, he suffered a devastating stroke, aged just 47.
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