Katie Waissel

Waissel announced that she was bringing or preparing civil proceedings relating to her experience on The X Factor, maintaining that those responsible for the programme had allegedly breached their duty of care and that her experience had caused psychological and professional harm.

Attribution

Protagonist is the complainant

Waissel submitted written evidence to the British parliamentary inquiry into misogyny in music, describing experiences of abuse, harassment and difficulties obtaining redress in the industry. In her subsequent public campaigning, she also stated that several well-known individuals had confided experiences of abuse to her. These statements concerning third parties are retained as part of her role as a witness and campaigner, not as established facts about each of those individuals.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Protagonist is a witness

Waissel publicly alleged that she had been sexually assaulted by a member of The X Factor team in a hotel in the United States. She described the experience as having had a lasting impact on her health and career.

Attribution

Protagonist is the victim

On Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, Christopher Biggins made a remark to Waissel, who is Jewish, referring to showers and gas chambers. Channel 5 subsequently removed him from the programme following several warnings concerning this remark and other offensive statements. The episode sparked major public controversy over Waissel's treatment on the show.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

During The X Factor 2010, the existence of a previous US recording agreement or contract fuelled allegations that Katie Waissel had enjoyed a professional advantage incompatible with the image of an unknown contestant and, according to some commentators, might raise eligibility questions.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Cheryl Cole's decision to select Waissel for the live shows while Gamu Nhengu was not chosen prompted a strong public reaction. Waissel attracted much of the anger although her own performance had been criticised.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Following Treyc Cohen's elimination against Waissel, Ofcom received 903 complaints, and viewers accused the programme of manipulating the result to keep Waissel. Producers denied any rigging.

State of the evidence

Allegations

During The X Factor, Waissel was subjected to particularly severe cyberbullying, including insults, death threats and, according to later accounts, acid attack threats. Her family and the programme highlighted the seriousness of these threats.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Protagonist is the victim

During The X Factor 2010, it was reported that Waissel had claimed or implied that she and Matt Cardle were having an affair. Cardle responded by publicly accusing her of seeking fame, and the two contestants fell out before reconciling a few days later.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Directly implicated