Katie Waissel seen for first time since sexual assault claim

Katie Waissel was seen for the first time since claiming she was sexually assaulted by somebody on the X Factor team, years after appearing on the show.

The singer, 35, put on a brave face as she carried her son Hudson, two, in London on Monday.

Katie, who entered the talent contest in 2010, alleged the incident happened in the US when she met the person to talk about recording work.

During her outing, the artist teamed a grey mal long-sleeved top with black running tights.

The TV star complemented her look with classic trainers, went make-up free and wore her tresses in a ponytail.

Waiving her right to anonymity, the media personality recently told The Sun: ‘I can still smell him. I was paralysed with shock. All I could think was, “How am I going to leave this room?”

‘I was a victim but I wouldn’t allow myself to recognise just how terrible it had been.’

The publication also claimed the alleged assault happened at a luxury hotel and Katie detailed why she’s not talked about it before.

She said: ‘I’ve never spoken before as I thought I’d be blacklisted and never work again.’

Katie added that she decided not to make a formal complaint at the time as she was pregnant, but that she feels being ‘focused on success’ after the X Factor made her ‘vulnerable’.

The singer said if she could change the past, she would never have appeared on the singing contest in 2010.

A spokesperson for Syco Entertainment said: ‘We were made aware via the media of Katie’s claims in Autumn 2017 and we immediately contacted her and began an investigation.

‘We were naturally shocked at the allegations and wanted to do anything we could to help – so we asked her to lodge a complaint with us and detail the allegations for that purpose. In the interim we suspended the accused.

‘Despite a number of requests to Katie asking her to detail the claims to us, she chose not to make a complaint over his behaviour. As a result, and without other evidence to the contrary, we were obliged to accept his denial of the claims.

‘We, of course, remain ready and keen to investigate her claims if she so chooses to detail them to us and even though the alleged perpetrator no longer works for either Syco or Sony Music.’

Katie has spoken candidly in recent months about her time on the X Factor and recently told how appearing on the show left her feeling suicidal and she is still receiving Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD] therapy.

The singer has joined a host of former competitors, including Chico Slimane, Cher Lloyd, Jedward and Rebecca Ferguson, who have spoken about the ‘abuse’ they suffered while on the show.

In the wake of Katie’s claims, Rebecca took to Twitter to show her support, writing: ‘I stand with you and every woman who who has the courage to speak out and tell their truth.’

Katie insisted she ‘can’t stay silent’ on the matter because people’s careers have been shattered and she claims many are still having counselling.

Speaking to Closer magazine, she said: ‘We all had to go through media training – almost a type of brainwash – ensuring we never said a bad word about the show or those that worked on or alongside it.

‘But how can we stay silent when future careers were shattered, and past contestants, myself included, are still undertaking therapy for PTSD caused by this show?

‘I had experienced such a low point when I was trying to rebuild my life, that I had frighteningly found myself contemplating suicide.’

For confidential support call Rape Crisis England & Wales on 0808 802 9999 or visit rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help for more details 

For a full list of support centres, please visit: gov.uk/sexualabusesupport