We've been suffering anxiety and mental problems.. it's awful

Singer tells of X Factor ordeal as six acts plan to sue Cowell firm

- PATRICK HILL

A FORMER X Factor singer last night told of the "tears, trauma and anxiety" behind a planned £1million-plus lawsuit against Simon Cowell's firm Syco.

Five solo acts and one group are approaching a leading law firm to sue, claiming that going on X Factor led to "bullying, mistreatment and neglect".

One claimant told the Sunday Mirror: "Being on the show was a horrific experience. We've been suffering for years as a result. It's awful.

The singer we spoke to, who we are not identifying, added: "Myself and five former acts have agreed to join forces and get the justice we feel we deserve.

"Simon needs to take responsibility. We lost a lot of money from having periods of our lives not making money to deal with trauma still ingrained from the show.

"It will be a £1million-plus case. It's about justice, being compensated for the time and money we've spent with medical professionals trying to live normal lives again."