Man pulled me on to the bed... I had to fight to break free

but exaggerated it and acted like you got more than you got. But you didn’t and you never will. I am not hiding away any longer.”

Sinitta has considered going to police but remains scared of playing out her ordeal in court.

She feels empowered to finally speak out by the Me Too movement in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal.

And she will reveal further details about her ordeal in a vook – video book – on her website.

Complicated

Sinitta said the incident will live with her for ever. And the star – who adopted two children in 2007 when married to Andy Willner – praised Cowell for his support.

She went on: “Simon has been my guardian angel. It is a complicated relationship that we have and I know people don’t always understand it.

“We have got together, split up, now we’re godparents to each other’s children. I do see him like a brother. A lot of things I’ve navigated through my life are thanks to Simon. Having him in my life has given me an extra backbone.

“He’s given me the confidence to keep going. I wouldn’t have that strength if he wasn’t in my corner.

“I’d like to say anyone who has been affected by the same experience that I have to speak to a friend, a family member or a charity like Mind.

“I’m going to counselling around this.

“I still find it hard to talk about this which I don’t fully understand as it wasn’t my fault.

“Women should be able to live their lives how they wish without fear of being taken advantage of by powerful men.”

Yesterday a source close to dadof-one Cowell said: “He fully supports Sinitta speaking out. They remain close friends.”

Since the attack, Sinitta, who is releasing a new single next week called Shine With Pride, has encountered her abuser on multiple occasions but refuses to be intimidated. Sinitta also addressed what she believes is an unfair public perception of her, adding: “People say I shouldn’t dress like I do, but that’s me. “I’m single but I still want to date. I’d like to meet a man and get married again. “I’ve never had a one night stand. If I don’t know you I don’t want to have sex with you. To be treated like a slut is hurtful. “I want to be able to deal with it and shake it off. I don’t want them to think they have any power over me – they don’t.”

Sinitta’s video book, Who Put The Sin In Sinitta, is available at Sinitta.com from Friday.