‘You’re playing with people’s hopes and dreams’: X Factor winner Matt Cardle says it’s a ‘miracle’ contestants didn’t commit suicide after ‘public shaming’ on the show
- If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.
Matt Cardle has admitted he thinks it is a ‘miracle’ there were no suicides among former X Factor contestants after the ‘public shaming’ they went through.
The singer, 37, beat One Direction to be crowned the winner of the 2010 series of the reality show and later suffered with an addiction to alcohol and prescription pills.
Matt said he was ‘desperately unhappy’ after the show and is glad producers have since ‘wised up’ about aftercare procedures for reality TV participants in the wake of tragedies associated with Love Island.
Speaking out: Matt Cardle has admitted he thinks it is a ‘miracle’ there were no suicides among former X Factor contestants after the ‘public shaming’ they went through (pictured on the show in 2010)
Speaking to The Sun, Matt said: ‘It is a miracle. You’re playing with people’s hopes and dreams. If you bring someone up and then cast them aside, that can be enough to drive someone to the edge, it really can.
‘We were flying on the edge of it not being ok at times with things that happened with some of the contestants. I do think there should have been more aftercare.
Matt, whose win was watched by almost 18 million people, explained it was difficult getting used to suddenly being famous after the show ended.
He said: ‘In 2013 and 2014, there was nobody looking over me or after me. I was in London on my own, pretty desperately unhappy. That’s why I’m glad they’ve wised up, especially with what’s happened with some of the people from Love Island.’
Past: The singer, 37, beat One Direction to be crowned the winner of the 2010 series of the reality show and later suffered with an addiction to alcohol and prescription pills
Former contestant Misha B previously admitted she felt suicidal after taking part in the show in 2011 where she was accused of ‘bullying’ other contestants.
Matt described her experience as ‘public shaming’ and said former judge Tulisa Contostavlos shouldn’t have called her out on TV.
Former X Factor contestant Ariel Burdett was found dead in her home last November aged 38 while Simone Battle, who took part in the US show in 2011, took her own life aged 25 in 2014 after suffering with depression and financial problems.
Matt details his battle with addiction on his new song Purple Crayon and said it has been easier to write about his struggles with ‘distance and perspective’.
The singer worked on his new album with his girlfriend Amber Hernaman, 29, who helped him write some of the songs.
The musician added that if he can use his past experiences to do good with his new album, he will ‘feel better about it’.
If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.
Honest: Former contestant Misha B previously admitted she felt suicidal after taking part in the show in 2011 where she was accused of ‘bullying’ other contestants (pictured in 2011)