ITV boss ‘fobbed off singer’s call for probe into treatment of reality stars’
A FORMER X Factor contestant has claimed ITV’s under-fire boss refused her request to launch a probe into the channel’s treatment of reality stars.
Rebecca Ferguson says Dame Carolyn McCall fobbed her off after she wrote to the channel in 2021 asking for an investigation into post-show care in programmes such as The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and Love Island.
The letter came after three Love Island stars including host Caroline Flack took their own lives. The singer, 36, received a reply nearly two weeks later from the broadcaster’s chief operating officer Sarah Clarke saying there would be no inquiry and apologising for any bad experiences endured by stars.
Ms Ferguson has now appealed to senior MPs to launch an investigation.
It comes after Phillip Schofield’s departure from This Morning over his relationship with a young runner, leading to questions about ITV’s handling of the affair.
In a series of tweets posted last night, Ms Ferguson said: ‘I cannot continue to not live in my full truth, being silent is worse ... I’ve lived through hell for years.’ The singer, who was runner-up on the X Factor in 2010, also appealed to Dame Caroline to launch an independent inquiry, suggesting that what would be uncovered would be ‘beyond terrifying’.
A source close to Ms Ferguson said yesterday: ‘ She firmly believes that over the years that ITV has been putting out reality shows, some people have been treated really badly.
‘ITV has benefited from high ratings and huge advertising revenue off the back of these programmes but that has, at times, meant that people haven’t been treated so well.’
Ms Ferguson went to the Metropolitan Police in 2021 to report allegations of harassment and coercive control against a senior male industry figure following her appearance on the X Factor.
An ITV spokesman said: ‘In our correspondence with Rebecca we stressed that the welfare of participants is of the highest priority at ITV as reflected in our Duty of Care Charter...’