(Image Source: Wales Online/ X Factor)

JESSICA GOODWIN

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO


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The UK’s television program 'The X Factor' is under fire for allegedly pursuing a contestant - with ratings in mind. Critics are saying X factor set Ceri Rees up for public humiliation on national television -- knowing she was not a good singer.

‘I’m Mrs Ceri Rees, I’m from Bridgend. I’ve been to the X Factor three times before’.. (Rees singing)

Although the judges seemed amused, there are plenty who are not laughing. The UK Daily Mail says X Factor misled the woman into a seven minute performance in front of 11 million viewers.

“Lost, confused and beguiled into believing she was a woman of rare vocal talent, the 54-year-old can have had no idea that she was about to be held up as an object of public ridicule … The fact that her disastrous appearance was saved for the climax of the show — conventionally the slot occupied by an episode’s stand-out performance — said it all.”

Celebrities have alsotaken a stab at the UK talent show. Pop singer Lily Allen tweeted-

"Kerry (sic) from Bridgend, they shouldn't have aired that audition, she's clearly ill."

and British television presenter Richard Madeley commented-

"Loads agree that last two acts on X Factor last night should never have been featured, certainly at such cruel length. Bad end to show."

To make matters worse for The X Factor, Wales Online reports Ree’s vocal coach Amanda Roberts claims the show’s producers...

“‘..Pursued her – they sent her backing tapes, offered to put her up in a hotel and gave her free train tickets.’”

Roberts went on to explain a phone call she had with the producers-

“When the show approached her to go back I rang the producers and told them it would not be good for her.

They said to me: ‘What are you, her doctor?’ We had a right slanging match for half an hour – they spoke to me like mud.”

Many have speculated that Rees might suffer from a mental health issue. Mental Health organizations have blasted The X Factor. A blogger for Mental Health Charity Mind says-

“It is important to recognise that we have no reason to suspect that Ms Rees has any form of mental health problem ... It is important that mental health does not become a spectator sport with participants provoked into distressed states for the entertainment of the viewing public. Ultimately, it is a decision for programme makers as to whether participants are shown auditioning for the show.”

But Mark Davies, Director of Communications at Rethink Mental Illness tells Mental Healthy great performers have had mental health issues -- the real problem here, is:

“...If someone appears vulnerable as Ceri did, to put them in the spotlight in this context is exploitative … Regardless of mental health issues, I think most people watching would have regarded this episode as gratuitous and cruel.”

The UK’s The Sun reports that an X Factor spokeswoman is insisting Ceri was pleased with her portrayal on the show and that the show X Factor nothing wrong.  

She said-

"The welfare of contestants is of paramount importance. We have psychologists to provide expert opinion if we have any specific concerns, or if the contestant raises any issues. And we ask contestants to declare any health issues."



Transcript by Newsy.