Rebecca Ferguson ‘standing with’ X Factor star Katie Waissel as she makes sexual assault claims

Rebecca Ferguson has expressed her support for former X Factor star Katie Waissel, who claimed she was sexually assaulted. 

Katie, 35, appeared in the 2010 series of the ITV singing competition and alleges that she was sexually assaulted by a member of the X Factor team. 

Reacting to Katie’s claims, Rebecca tweeted on Saturday night: ‘.@katiewaissel24 I stand with you and every woman who who [sic] has the courage to speak out and tell their truth.’ 

The I Hope singer also shared explanations of rape culture, as well as a quote from Angelina Jolie, which read: ‘We must send a message across the world that there is no disgrace in being a survivor of sexual violence. The shame is on the aggressor.’ 

Rebecca, 34, was apparently aware that Katie’s allegations would be made public, as she had recently warned her followers to expect a big announcement to be made. 

‘A huge story is coming out this weekend a victim has spoken out,’ she tweeted on Friday. 

‘Because of this reputation managers and crisis teams will be flooding the press with positive stories to manipulate public opinion and water down the truth! Don’t be fooled!’ 

In recent weeks, Rebecca has campaigned for better protection for the welfare of reality stars and artists in the music industry, following her experience after rising to fame on The X Factor. She is expected to meet with Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden next month. 

Katie detailed her allegations in an interview with The Sun, in which she said: ‘I can still smell him. I was paralysed with shock. All I could think was, “How am I going to leave this room?” 

‘I was a victim but I wouldn’t allow myself to recognise just how terrible it had been. I’ve never spoken before as I thought I’d be blacklisted and never work again.’ She added to The Sun: ‘I was vulnerable but times have changed and I now feel bold enough to speak out.’

She said the alleged ordeal happened in a luxury hotel, when she met the man to talk about recording work, and that it happened in the US, some years after her appearance on the show in 2010. The publication reports that the man, who is not being named for legal reasons, said the claims were entirely untrue.

A spokesperson for Syco Entertainment told Metro.co.uk in a statement: ‘We were made aware via the media of Katie’s claims in Autumn 2017 and we immediately contacted her and began an investigation. 

‘We were naturally shocked at the allegations and wanted to do anything we could to help – so we asked her to lodge a complaint with us and detail the allegations for that purpose. In the interim we suspended the accused.

‘Despite a number of requests to Katie asking her to detail the claims to us, she chose not to make a complaint over his behaviour. As a result, and without other evidence to the contrary, we were obliged to accept his denial of the claims.

‘We, of course, remain ready and keen to investigate her claims if she so chooses to detail them to us and even though the alleged perpetrator no longer works for either Syco or Sony Music.’ 

Got a showbiz story? 
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Katie Waissel claims she was sexually assaulted by X Factor team member

MORE : Christina Milian welcomes third child: ‘What an adventure’