My ex-hubby was criminal on the run who cheated on me when I took him back
As divorce comes through, favourite says she’s free to follow dream now
X FACTOR favourite Tracyleanne Jefford has revealed her heartbreak over her convicted fraudster husband.
Westley James Temple, 34, skipped bail while awaiting trial for a vehicle fraud in 2014 and was the subject of an international manhunt.
Traceyleanne says her years with Temple, who she married in 2000, left her in complete emotional turmoil.
And she claims that when she took him back after he was given a suspended sentence for the fraud, he cheated on her.
The mum of three has been one of the standout stars of this year’s X Factor, with judges Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne raving about her voice.
Now she has revealed how she is overcoming the pain of her past after finally divorcing Temple.
Traceyleanne, from Sudbury-on-Thames, is mum to Westley James, 14, Levi, 13, and Anita-Isabella, seven, with her ex.
She says throughout the marriage he would regularly go missing for weeks or months on end.
But she would always take him back for the sake of her children.
Tracyleanne, 34, said: “I suffered years of pain and misery. I have nothing but bad memories of him.
“It was just a constant emotional turmoil, because I kept saying I wouldn’t let him hurt me again.”
In 2014, Temple was arrested on suspicion of a £105,000 vehicle fraud.
His two co-defendants were sentenced to 16 months and 14 months for faking vehicle purchases to claim VAT repayments.
But Temple skipped bail and was eventually found in France five months later.
Tracyleanne had been separated from him when he first did the flit but took him back afterwards.
She claimed: “Throughout the marriage, we spent a lot of time apart and he would disappear for months on end. It was a constant cycle.
“When he went on the run, I gave him another chance when he came back – I was so stupid and naive.”
Tracyleanne left Temple last year and her divorce is just through.
She said: “What he has done to me has happened for a reason – it has set me free. And going on The X Factor has changed my life.” The X Factor continues with Six Chair Challenge tonight at 8.15pm and tomorrow at 7pm on ITV.