An unnamed former star of The has revealed 6 acts are planning to go ahead with a multi-million-pound lawsuit against ’s firm SyCo.
The X Factor aired on ITV between 2004 and 2019 but was put on an indefinite hiatus after the Celebrity X Factor and The Band series were both hit with low ratings.
However, despite speculation Cowell, 62, is looking to bring the once hugely successful show back to screens, a group of former stars are looking to take his company to court.
According to new reports, five solo acts and one group – who have remained anonymous – are approaching a leading law firm to sue SyCo, with allegations of ‘bullying, mistreatment and neglect’ while taking part.
An unnamed singer who claims to be involved in the planned lawsuit told the : ‘Being on the show was a horrific experience.
They went on to add that they aren’t the only ones looking to take action, sharing: ‘Myself and five former acts have agreed to join forces and get the justice we feel we deserve.
‘Simon needs to take responsibility. We lost a lot of money from having periods of our lives not making money to deal with trauma still ingrained from the show.’
The acts are looking for compensation for the ‘time and money’ spent ‘trying to make our lives normal again’, with the act claiming: ‘We have a lot of evidence, including emails, recordings and psychological assessments that will show how we were mistreated.’
A spokesman for X Factor told Metro.co.uk: ‘Welfare of those taking part is our No1 priority and we have robust measures and welfare teams in place to ensure support is always available.
‘We are unaware of any legal claims being filed against The X Factor and despite not being on air for several years, we remain open to discuss concerns with anyone who chooses to do so.’
The Mirror also reports that after going to SyCo for comment, the group says there is no allegation that Cowell was in any way aware of, or personally involved in, the incidents or behaviour alleged by the group.
It comes amid rumours two production companies , which would look to expose claims of bullying, exploitation and harassment that allegedly took place on the show.
Several stars are thought to have agreed to take part in the rumoured documentary, who believe they were wrongly treated.
Channel 4 boss Ian Katz didn’t rule out the possibility that the documentary could end up coming to the broadcaster.
On whether the rumoured , Ian Katz said at the Edinburgh TV Festival: ‘If it is, it hasn’t crossed my desk yet.
‘But I wouldn’t want to rule it out.’
However, he reportedly ended the session by saying an email he’d love to see land in his inbox is ‘a documentary about the X Factor’.
has contacted representatives for ITV and The X Factor for comment on the reports.
