Former X Factor contestant Lucy Spraggan has disclosed that she was raped by a hotel porter during the production of the ITV show in 2012. In her new memoir, 'Process: Finding My Way Through', she details the lasting impact of the assault and expresses feeling let down by ITV.
The assault occurred after a night celebrating fellow contestant Rylan Clark's 25th birthday at a Mayfair nightclub, which was attended by X Factor crew. Spraggan, then 20, passed out and was escorted back to her hotel by a production team member. A hotel porter offered to help her to her room but flipped the security latch on her door to prevent it locking. Later, after Clark checked on her and locked the door, the porter returned using a traceable keycard to attack her.
Spraggan said she woke up with a sense of dread and knew she had been raped but could not process it. Although the production team called the police and an arrest was made, she felt they were unprepared to handle the situation. She received financial and medical support immediately after the crime but said no one contacted her after the trial, and she was left without ongoing mental health treatment.
Spraggan, who was the first contestant to perform her own songs on the show, left the competition after three live shows, reportedly due to illness. She said the side effects of HIV prevention medication made her too unwell to continue. She wanted to disclose the reason for her exit but was advised against it for the sake of her career.
Fremantle, the show's producers, expressed regret, stating they believed they were doing their best but recognise they could have done more. ITV said the production companies were responsible for duty of care. Simon Cowell, the show's creator, called the incident 'horrific and heartbreaking' and said he has since developed a friendship with Spraggan.
