Cheating ex ‘best thing that happened to me’

X FACTOR’S Tracyleanne Jefford says catching her husband of 17 years being unfaithful made her turn her life around.

The slimmed-down singer is tipped by insiders to reach the final of this year’s X Factor.

But the mum-of-three, 34, said she would never have auditioned if she was still with her former hubby, who she claimed was “controlling”.

Tracyleanne, pictured inset before she lost five-and-a-half stone, said: “I caught my husband cheating and it’s the best thing that’s ever happened. I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t.

“My ex-husband put me down a lot, he could be controlling but now I’m free.

“I never had confidence when I was big and I was put down quite a lot over the years and I didn’t know who I was.

“I walked around with my head down as I thought I was ugly. Now I know I’m not ugly, I feel a million dollars and I know the person that I am now.”

Tracyleanne got married to her ex when she was 17.

She is from the travelling community where divorce is discouraged but says her decision was accepted because her husband did the dirty on her.

And The X Factor’s latest star has no regrets about leaving him.

She said: “I’m not ashamed to say when I got those divorce papers I didn’t have any feelings of remorse.

“I wasn’t frowned upon for leaving him because if there is an affair involved then no woman should stay in a relationship if you’re betrayed.

“That’s how I am and that was the worst thing he could have done to me by having another woman. But now I’ve never been so happy in my life.”

Tracyleanne has been compared to Amy Winehouse after impressing with Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow in her first audition.

She is now one of the favourites to make the final.

She added: “My message for anyone going through a break-up is dust yourself down, pick yourself up and follow your dreams.

“My dream was always to be a singer. I’ve built myself up and I’m following my dreams and now I’m going to go further and further.

“I will make sure my children have the best lives and it’s important to have love in your home. No money can buy that.

“All I’m interested in is pursuing my career, bringing my babies up and living my life.”