Former X Factor winner Sam Bailey has revealed she considered returning to her previous job as a prison officer after winning the talent show in 2013. Bailey, who worked at HMP Gartree in Leicestershire for three years before her victory, said she missed the role despite its challenges.
Bailey, who had a Christmas No 1 and a chart-topping debut album after winning the show, said she was told it would be in the best interests of the prison and her family not to return to work due to the publicity from the programme. She still lives in the same house and remains in contact with former colleagues.
The singer, currently starring in Fat Friends – the Musical in Leeds, praised prison officers for their work amid rising violence and drug use in prisons. 'I take my hat off to anyone who works as a prison officer right now. It’s not an easy time,' she said, calling for greater recognition of the profession.
Bailey noted that many experienced officers have left the service, leaving prisons short-staffed. A joint report by the Howard League for Penal Reform and the Community union this week called for urgent action to address the crisis, highlighting that new officers often leave quickly due to low pay and difficult conditions.
Reflecting on her X Factor win, Bailey said prisoners at HMP Gartree celebrated by banging on cell doors, a gesture usually reserved for football finals and New Year's Eve. 'That’s around 700 prisoners all banging at once for me. Can you imagine that?' she said.
