X Factor defends 'vulnerable' contestant

ITV has defended broadcasting a contestant on the X Factor following claims she was too vulnerable.

Ceri Rees, 54, appeared on the ITV1 programme for a fourth time last weekend singing I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables.

Her vocal coach, Amanda Roberts, told Newsbeat Ceri is a "very vulnerable lady" who has been "humiliated".

ITV says the welfare of contestants is of paramount importance and Ceri was happy to appear.

But Amanda, from Swansea, disagrees: "When I did see this audition, I cried the whole time. Every other time was bad enough but this was total humiliation."

She first met Ceri following her third appearance on the TV show in 2008 and offered her free singing lessons. She says they've remained friends since.

Amanda says her friend is extremely trusting: "You have people like producers telling her that the show isn't the same without her and there's a new set of judges and to give it a go another time."

'Approached by producers'

It's claimed Ceri, from Bridgend, was approached by producers to audition again this year following her appearances in 2005, 2006 and 2008. There's no confirmation or denial of this from ITV.

Instead the broadcaster has issued a statement which says: "The X Factor is open to everybody to apply and we regularly welcome back contestants who want to audition again.

"Ceri has been taking singing lessons since she last appeared on the show and she wanted to have her vocals judged by a new panel as she hadn't been successful with the previous line-up."

Amanda says she discouraged Ceri from appearing on the 2010 series of X Factor following a request from producers.

She claims she didn't know Ceri had agreed to take part this year but says her friend has been left upset by her latest audition.