Rebecca Ferguson's family feared she would 'take her life' over vile bullying
Rebecca Ferguson has admitted her friends and family thought she would "take her life" over vile industry bullying.
The former X Factor star, 26, has claimed she was so badly bullied whilst working in the industry it sparked fears over her welfare.
The 2010 runner up has campaigned for a regulatory body to be set up in the music industry and has called on Ofcom to investigate reality TV shows for the "future safety of contestants".
Rebecca has heartbreakingly revealed she found herself cornered in certain situations, claiming she was heavily influenced into signing a contract she knew she would regret.
Rebecca says her family feared for her wellbeing (rebeccaferguson__/Instagram)
Rebecca says she signed a contract she knew she'd regret (Getty Images)"I have been in positions in this industry where people were so worried about how badly I was being bullied that they thought I was going to take my own life," she told The Times.
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The singer says she was given "a contract the size of the Bible without any chance to read it".
She added: "I remember... being told to sign, literally there were hands on my shoulders and I was thinking, 'I’m going to regret this later'.
"But when you’re 23, working-class, a single mum with two kids and you think the show is the opportunity of a lifetime - you do what you think is best."
Earlier in the week, Rebecca claimed ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall refused to launch an investigation into the channel’s treatment of its reality shows’ contestants.
The singer, who came second on X Factor in 2010 behind Matt Cardle, has been an outspoken voice against ITV and the care it shows to people involved on its reality shows.
Rebecca claims to have written to channel bosses in 2021, including chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall, asking for a probe into “codes of conduct, post-show aftercare and freedom of choice of management” of its reality programmes.
However, this request was reportedly denied when Chief Operating Officer Sarah Clarke replied to her.
According to Rebecca, Clarke apologised about any personal bad experiences she might have experienced but declined to investigate the issue further, assuring her that there is a commitment to procedures in place already and insisting that they follow a Duty of Care Charter.
Taking to Twitter, the singer shared screenshots of emails to ITV and OFCOM asking for investigations into the treatment of reality stars during and after the shows.
She wrote: "I’m bound by multiple NDA’s but I cannot continue to not live in my full truth, being silent is worse I’ve lived through hell for years.
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"I was refused by ITV and OFCOM, no investigation was taken place and my concerns appeared to be fobbed off.
"I am open to communication should they now wish to follow up with my private complaint now that I have made my complaint public."
If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch.
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