Chico Slimani, the singer who became one of the most memorable contestants on The X Factor, has been found guilty of drink-driving by a London court.
The 55-year-old, whose real name is Yousseph Slimani, told the court that his arrest came just hours after he broke his sobriety. He said that he had resumed drinking after three “devastating” bereavements, and that he has not drunk alcohol since.
Slimani rose to prominence in 2005 when he reached the quarter-final stage of the television talent show. He later went on to score a No 1 single with It’s Chico Time, turning him into a recognisable figure beyond the series.
The court finding marks a difficult moment for the singer, who had spoken about the circumstances surrounding the incident during the hearing. The source does not provide further details of the offence or the sentence, only that he was found guilty on Thursday.
Slimani’s case has drawn attention because of both his high-profile public image and the personal context he described in court. According to the report, he linked the lapse in sobriety to bereavement and said he had remained alcohol-free since the incident.
Known to many viewers from his time on The X Factor, Slimani became a familiar entertainment name in the mid-2000s. His chart success with It’s Chico Time followed soon after his appearance on the show, cementing his place in British pop culture.
The ruling adds a legal setback to a career that has included both television exposure and a brief but notable run at the top of the music charts. No additional comment from Slimani was included in the source report.
