X Factor legend Chico appeared at Willesden Magistrates Court today after pleading not guilty to drink driving in December last year
X Factor’s Chico has been found guilty in his drink driving trial. (Image: WireImage)
X Factor‘s Chico has been found guilty of drink-driving after telling a trial that his arrest came hours after he broke his sobriety. Chico, 55, whose real name is Yousseph Slimani, told Willesden Magistrates’ Court that he drank Famous Grouse whisky for six hours after losing a third friend to cancer.
The star, who is best known for competing on the 2005 series of the former ITV talent show and releasing the single, It’s Chico Time, had 40 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, a court heard in December last year.
In England, the legal limit of alcohol for driving is 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres. He was accused of drink-driving in Chase Way, Southgate, on December 13. During a hearing last year, Chico’s defence stated that he had consumed cough medicine, which can impact a reading. He was bailed until his trial, today.
The Welsh-born singer reached the semi-finals of The X Factor’s 2005 series, coming in fifth place. His time on the reality competition was certainly memorable, with the singer jumping into Sharon Osbourne’s pool and dancing in the water during the judges’ houses round.
After finding fame on the show, he topped the charts with his single, It’s Chico Time, remaining at number one for two weeks in 2006. He went on to tour at Butlins, compete on Dancing on Ice in 2012 and appear in Extras.
A few years later, he was rushed to the hospital after suffering a stroke on the way back from a gig. “We can confirm that Chico has sadly suffered a stroke,” his family told the Mirror in 2018.
“This has been a great shock to Chico, his wife and their two children, also his close friends and family. We thank you in advance for giving Chico and the family some privacy at this time. Chico is now undergoing further tests and further statements will be released shortly.”
In 2021, Chico said that X Factor contestants were “naïve and silly” to expect a long career in the music industry after being on the show. “It gave me the chance to earn a good living, I’ve been around the country entertaining the masses, so much has come from that,” he said on Late night with Cristo on talkRADIO. “I can’t complain because I again, I knew what it was, they use you, or abuse you, and you use that platform to go on.”
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