Tears as Hylton exits X Factor
Rachel Hylton
Rachel Hylton broke down in tears as she hit out at negative media coverage for marring her X Factor experience.
The 26-year-old soul singer said she felt "numb" about being kicked off after a sing-off with boyband JLS.
The former drug addict said: "I think it didn't matter about my performance. Bottom line is I feel I've been judged on my past the whole way through this competition. I wasn't given a chance."
The mother-of-five, from London, burst into tears as she blamed the media for victimising her by digging up her criminal past, which had led to three of her children being taken into care.
"I know I've taken drugs, I know I've committed crimes and I am sorry.
"I've lost three kids. My oldest son is 13 and I don't even know what his favourite colour is, that's... not something I'm proud of."