Simon Cowell said the sexual assault of an "X Factor" contestant was "horrific" and "heartbreaking." Simon Cowell described the sexual assault of a former "X Factor" contestant as "horrific and heart-breaking" after she criticized the support provided by the show's producers. Spraggan, who performed her own songs in her audition for "The X Factor," pulled out of the show during production, citing illness. "The X Factor" has faced criticism from other former UK contestants over their treatment. The X Factor was produced by Thames [part of Freemantle] and Syco, who were primarily responsible for duty of care towards all of its programme contributors."

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Persons: Simon Cowell, Lucy Spraggan, Spraggan, she'd, Rylan Clark, they'd, I'd, Tim Whitby, Spraggan wasn't, Cowell, Lucy, Katie Waissel, Simon Cowell's Organizations: Guardian, Morning, Fremantle, BBC News, ITV, Thames Locations: London, Fremantle