It was an emotional Rachel Hylton who showed up for her X Factor press conference yesterday and the mother of five says that she blames the media for her exit from the show.

Rachel told reporters: "I really 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."

Rachel then burst into tears and almost couldn’t continue with the conference as she talked about her past.

She said: "I’ve been given a lot of negative press coverage. I just feel it was really unfair. I know I’ve taken drugs, I know I’ve committed crimes and I am sorry.

"I didn’t mean to do them things. I’ve lost three kids and I’m nearly 27," she added, sobbing.

"I’m sorry to cry, but I’ve got to live with that every single day of my life. My oldest son is 13 and I don’t even know what his favourite colour is, that’s embarassing. It’s not something I’m proud of."