Simon Cowell has issued a press release following former X Issue contestant Lucy Spraggan revealing that she was raped whereas collaborating within the present.
The musician got here ahead along with her story earlier this week, and revealed that she was sexually assaulted by a resort porter in 2012.
The singer-songwriter – who was aged 20 on the time – was celebrating fellow contestant Rylan Clark’s birthday in Mayfair, as ITV reported.
On the get together, she fell unconscious and was escorted again to her resort by a member of the ITV manufacturing group and a resort porter. The porter, nonetheless, later used a “traceable keycard” to enter her room and assault her.
The porter was arrested after adequate proof was gathered, and subsequently imprisoned for 10 years (through The Mirror). Spraggan has since gone on to element the assault and its aftermath in her new memoir Course of: Discovering My Manner By.
She additionally advised her story in an emotional interview with The Guardian, recalling the second she realised what had occurred to her. “I awakened the subsequent day with this sense of sheer dread. I don’t suppose I’ve ever felt that stage of confusion since,” she stated. “I knew that I’d been raped, however I couldn’t course of that. So I put my garments on and went into autopilot.”
Now, music business mogul and frequent X Issue choose Simon Cowell has shared a press release about her expertise on the present, and revealed that he has been in contact along with her to supply his help.
“What occurred to Lucy was horrific and heartbreaking. Once I was given the chance to talk to Lucy, I used to be in a position to personally inform her how sorry I used to be about every part she has been by way of,” he stated (through The Mirror).
“Though we met below tragic circumstances, a real friendship and a mutual respect has developed between us. Lucy is without doubt one of the most genuine, proficient, and courageous folks I’ve ever met. Since we linked, I’ve had the honour to work with Lucy and I’ve at all times supported her want to inform her story, in addition to her efforts to result in optimistic change.”
Spraggan additionally recalled what it was like when Cowell reached out to her in an interview with BBC Breakfast, claiming that his apology meant a terrific deal to her because it was one thing that nobody else provided.
“[He said:] ‘Lucy, earlier than you or I say the rest, the very first thing I have to inform you is that I’m sorry’,” she defined, starting to get upset (through Metro). “It makes me emotional…as a result of nobody else stated sorry. He wasn’t even on [the show during] my yr – he wasn’t even a choose – and he as a human being gave me every part I wanted in two phrases.”
The alleged lack of help she obtained on the time is one thing that she first addressed when talking with The Guardian. “Nobody ever contacted me to ask if I used to be OK,” she stated. “Nobody known as or emailed when the trial was over and he was convicted. Nobody provided me rehabilitation or ongoing psychological well being therapy. I used to be alone.”
Responding to Spraggan’s feedback, ITV issued a press release saying: “We’ve got the deepest compassion for Lucy and every part she has endured because of this horrific ordeal. We commend her resilience and bravado.
“We’ve got advanced and improved these oversight procedures for the reason that occasions in query and we’re inspired to listen to that Thames recognises the significance of steady overview and enchancment of their very own processes,” the broadcaster added. “In an occasion of such a distressing nature, welfare and help in direction of the sufferer would at all times be of the utmost precedence.”
Moreover, a spokesperson for Fremantle, the British TV firm that produced The X Issue described her expertise as “really horrific” and stated that “while we believed all through that we have been doing our greatest to help Lucy within the aftermath of the ordeal, as Lucy thinks we may have executed extra, we should subsequently recognise this.”
Saying her memoir on social media, Spraggan went on to explain the method of writing the autobiography as “liberating” and marking “the start of a brand new period”. She additionally thanked followers for his or her continued help as she goes to take “a break” from social media.
Course of: Discovering My Manner By by Lucy Spraggan, is out now through Bonnier Books and may be bought right here.
