X Factor to face probe with This Morning after Rebecca Ferguson slammed ... trends now

The X Factor is to face a probe alongside This Morning after former contestant Rebecca Ferguson lashed out at the treatment of the hopefuls on the ITV show. 

The chair of the Culture, Media and Sport committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage revealed that reality shows such as the X Factor will be a 'real focus' of an investigation. 

Dame Caroline told how she has 'many questions' after X Factor contestants complained of 'bullying' during their stint on the talent programme, with Rebecca demanding a probe into broadcaster amid the recent Phillip Schofield scandal.

The inquest was said to have been focused on the Phillip drama, which came after his confession to a relationship with a young runner on the show, leading to questions about ITV's handling of the affair and allegations of a 'toxic' culture on the show. 

But Dame Caroline noted that the probe will also look at reality shows such as X Factor, Love Island and Britain's Got Talent - with it said that former contestants and islanders have been in touch. 

Speaking to TalkTV, she said: 'We've got a lot of questions, you know, and I'm not interested in a witch hunt. 

'I'm not really actually interested very much in the Phillip Schofield issue and I think that's been discussed by everybody.'

She continued: 'What I'm interested in are what are the systems and processes at ITV and in fact, other public service broadcasters to ensure that these giants, these gods of broadcasting, if you like, don't have undue influence over the careers and lives of other young members of staff.'

It comes after Rebecca Ferguson broke down in tears on Wednesday as she claimed people appearing on ITV reality shows were victims of 'bullying' and 'brainwashing'.

The singer, who came second on the 2010 season of the popular programme, said popular reality shows take advantage of people from troubled backgrounds by 'manipulating' them.

She also opened up about her own career and said she had been through things 'I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy' behind the scenes, adding she was 'pressured into contracts I didn't want to sign'. 

It comes after she claimed under-fire ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall fobbed her off to her deputy after she wrote to the channel in 2021 asking it to look into codes of conduct and post-show aftercare for its reality shows after three Love Island stars, including Carolyn Flack, took their own lives.

However, the Liverpool-born musician said Dame Carolyn did not respond to her request and instead she received a letter from ITV's chief operating officer Sarah Clarke saying there would not be any kind of inquiry and saying the channel follows a duty of care charter, while apologising for any bad experiences endured by its stars.