Lucy Spraggan has spoken out about a ‘life-altering trauma’ during her time as a contestant on the X Factor, describing how she was raped by a hotel porter.
The singer, who grew up in Buxton and now lives in Manchester, has waived her legal right to anonymity to speak out about the incident.
The 31-year-old has detailed in her new memoir Process: Finding My Way Through, that she had been at Rylan Clark’s birthday party (he was also a contestant on the ninth series of the hit ITV singing contest) when she fell unconscious and was taken back to her hotel.
There, a porter at the hotel offered to help a member of the production get Lucy to her room safely.
Rylan checked on her and made sure the door was locked – but the hotel porter returned later that night, letting himself in with a keycard and assaulting Lucy.
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The staff member in question was jailed.
At the time, fans of the show noticed that Lucy had abruptly withdrawn from the X Factor contest, with the official line being that she’d stepped back due to illness.
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Lucy Spraggan speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning. Credit: BBC
The star has now confirmed that she left because the HIV medication she was advised to take made her ill.
Lucy Spraggan has now made the decision to step back from social media ahead of her memoir being released, saying she ‘needs to protect my mental health and my head space’.
She wrote on Instagram: “Even though I won’t be active online, please continue sharing your love and positivity. Every word you send will be cherished.
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“I’ve entrusted my dedicated team to gather and pass along your messages, ensuring that I feel your presence and encouragement throughout this time.
“Your unwavering support has been a true source of strength and I know, for a fact, that without it I would not be embarking on this next era. Thank you for understanding and standing by me through it all.”
Lucy also said in another interview that Simon Cowell – who was absent from her series of the X Factor – was the ‘only person’ to apologise for what she’d been through.
Simon said in a statement: “What happened to Lucy was horrific and heartbreaking.
“When I was given the opportunity to speak to Lucy, I was able to personally tell her how sorry I was about everything she has been through.
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“Although we met under tragic circumstances, a genuine friendship and a mutual respect has developed between us. Lucy is one of the most authentic, talented, and brave people I have ever met.
“Since we connected, I have had the honour to work with Lucy and I have always supported her wish to tell her story, as well as her efforts to bring about positive change.”
She said of her exchanges with Simon Cowell: “It makes me emotional because no-one else said sorry. And all it took was this one man to treat me like a human being, 11 years later.”
ITV said in a statement: “We have the deepest compassion for Lucy and everything she has endured as a result of this horrific ordeal. We commend her resilience and bravery.
“The X Factor was produced by Thames and Syco, who were primarily responsible for duty of care towards all of its programme contributors.
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“ITV as a commissioning broadcaster is committed to having in place suitable and robust oversight procedures, with a view to ensuring that independent producers employ the correct processes to protect the mental health and welfare of participants.”
Fremantle, the company that produces the X Factor, added: “To our knowledge, the assault was an event without precedent in the UK television industry.
“Whilst we believed throughout that we were doing our best to support Lucy in the aftermath of the ordeal, as Lucy thinks we could have done more, we must therefore recognise this. For everything Lucy has suffered, we are extremely sorry.”
Rape and Sexual Assault Support Centres in Greater Manchester
St. Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre Manchester – Provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.
Greater Manchester Rape Crisis – A confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email [email protected]
Survivors Manchester – Provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape, or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.
Doctor Who fans left scratching their heads over new star following ‘surprise’ regeneration
Danny Jones
Thousands of Doctor Who fans have been left scratching their heads following the most recent season finale and yet another regeneration that absolutely NO ONE was expecting.
Seriously, if you predicted this, then you’re just lying.
Following the series 15 conclusion – or rather the ‘second’ under the Disney+ umbrella – which saw Ncuti Gatwa vacate the moniker after just two series, showrunner Russell T Davies made his first real big splash since returning to the franchise.
If you’re looking for just one singular meme that sums up the general audience’s reaction to the episode, look no further:
Doctor Who remains one of the most iconic British TV shows of all time, but it’s fair to say it hasn’t been without its ups and downs over the years, and this latest turn has proved just as divisive.
After being first brought back from a 16-year hiatus following the sci-fi series’ original run from 1963 to 1989, the latest iteration is now two decades and six new Doctors in.
Or is that seven?…
Sex Education star Gatwa may be the 15th Doctor all told (with David Tennant’s own mini return marking number 14), but it looks like the latest might be former reboot star Rose Tyler herself, a.k.a. Billie Piper.
Remaining tight-lipped on social media, Billie has said little more than fans will have to “wait and see”, as well as her cryptic “a rose is a rose” post; as for the BBC themselves, they have only offered a press release, teasing that “just how and why she [Billie Piper] is back remains to be seen…”
In case you haven’t seen it yet, let’s all watch it together in real time, shall we?
What a surprise!
While there are plenty of clues and theories now being picked apart by so-called ‘Whovians’, we have little more evidence than the scene itself and the final line in the end credits of the episode, which read: “Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor. Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor. And introducing Billie Piper”.
Plenty of fans are obviously over the moon to see the 42-year-old back on board, regardless of the circumstances, but it hasn’t stopped them from tying themselves up in knots of confusion, especially given the very obvious canon questions posed following the reveal.
For anyone not even remotely clued up on her connection to the show, Billie Piper previously played Rose Tyler – the first companion of the modern era, who has returned for a number of cameos in the past – but (no spoilers), having her return as not just a different character but THE Doctor seems rather complex.
Nevertheless, the speculation that has ensued online since the reveal has been enjoyable on both sides of the argument.
WHATTTTT
Billie Piper is the 16th Doctor
Billie Piper has played the famous Rose Tyler, the bad wolf and NOW the Doctor
I'm actually here for this. I'm sorry to anyone who's not.. but this is MAD.. and I'm here for it. genuinely am here. #DoctorWhopic.twitter.com/aFlGpoNP0g
Since the recent rebrand to make the show more palatable to American and global viewers, there has been a noticeable increase in the community’s presence online.
One overseas fan wrote X: “It’s been 20 years and Rose Tyler is still my favourite companion, she was my first after all. In whatever incarceration Billie Piper shows up as, it just reminds me of being a teen again, being introduced to this wild British TV show on the SciFi channel.
As far as our opinion, we’re only casual Doctor Who fans, but we can’t lie, we’re pretty excited to see whatever they have in store.
What do you make of the whole thing? Is Billie Piper really going to become the new Doctor and, if so, are you on board, or are you in the camp of it’s a bit of opportunistic lip service for fans?
Tribute paid to former Race Across the World star Sam Gardiner who died in a crash in Gatley
Emily Sergeant
The family of a former Race Across the World star who died following a collision last week have paid a touching tribute to him.
Sam Gardiner rose to public attention when he competed with his mother, Jo, in the second series of the BBC’s Race Across The World, but sadly, the 24-year-old lost his life during a collision in Gatley at the beginning of last week.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that Sam was the driver of a white VW Golf R estate that was involved in a single-vehicle collision on Monday 26 May.
The collision occurred on the A34 in Gatley, and Sam has since passed away from his injuries.
Sam Gardiner and his mum Jo, who competed on BBC’s Race Across the World / Credit: GMP
At the time of his tragic death, Sam was working as landscape gardener and had been based on an isolated estate on the west coast of Scotland, but was home in Manchester for a family gathering.
Sam was described by his parents as a ‘loyal, funny, and fiercely protective’ young man in the tribute paid to him.
Their tribute reads in full: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident. Sam left us far too soon, and whilst words will never fully capture the light, joy and energy he brought into our lives, we hold on to the memories that made him so special.
“Sam was adored by his family. As a son, brother and nephew, he was loyal, funny and fiercely protective.
#APPEAL | Serious Collision Investigation Unit appeal for information following a serious road traffic collision on A34 in Gatley on Monday 26 May at 9.50pm.
Call us on 0161 856 4741 quoting 3306 26/05/25 with any information.
— Stockport Police (GMP) (@GMPStockport) May 27, 2025
“He did Race Across The World in 2019, which opened his eyes to the wonder of adventure and travel. He was willing to go wherever the trail might lead and he touched everyone he met on the road. He found great happiness working as a landscape gardener on the west coast of Scotland.
“Sam brought warmth, laughter and a smattering of chaos wherever he went.
“He leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts. We will miss him endlessly, but we’ll also remember him with smiles, tall tales, and a depth of love that will never fade”.
At this time, Sam’s family have asked for privacy whilst they begin to come to terms with the terrible loss, and are being supported by specialist GMP officers.
Daisy Jackson -
17th July 2023 
