A number of past X-Factor acts have made substantial allegations over the hit ITV show, meaning that Simon Cowell's music empire SyCo will battle with fresh legal claims.
The show ran for 14 years as an ITV staple, pulling in over 14 million viewers during it's peak - but six acts from the series don't look back on their experiences with fond memories.
One previous contestant has made recent claims that her experience included enduing 'tears, trauma and anxiety'.
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The Daily Star reports that there will now be a multi-million-pound lawsuit against Simon Cowell’s firm SyCo from five solo acts and one group. The X Factor clan are claiming that the programme resulted in 'bullying, mistreatment and neglect' - with one act telling the Sunday Mirror: “Being on the show was a horrific experience. We’ve been suffering for years as a result. It’s awful.
“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.”
The claimant's identity was not revealed by the publication, and they also told how there is an abundance of evidence in the form of emails, recordings and psychological assessments that proves the stars were mistreated. The singers argue that before stepping on the world stage and filling TV screens across the nation, many were 'sleep deprives, in tears, or suffering trauma'.
A spokesman for X Factor told The Mirror: “Welfare of those taking part is our No1 priority and we have robust measures and welfare teams in place to ensure support is always available. We are unaware of any legal claims being filed against The X Factor and despite not being on air for several years.
"We remain open to discuss concerns with anyone who chooses to do so.”
A source familiar with the legal case, also told the publication: “This is a serious legal claim and could end up with dozens more claimants banding together. Their lawyers believe they have a good case and plan to bring the claim in the coming months.”
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