Rachel Hylton broke down in tears today as she hit out at negative media coverage for cutting short her X Factor experience.

The 26-year-old soul singer said she felt "numb" about being kicked off last night's the show after she lost out in a sing-off with boyband JLS.

Rachel, a former drug addict, said: "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."

The mother-of-five, from London, burst into tears as she blamed the media for victimising her by digging up her criminal past, which had led to three of her children being taken into care.

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 embarrassing. It's not something I'm proud of."

Rachel said she had no regrets about taking part in the ITV talent show, saying that it has helped her to sort her life out.

"Even if I never do anything again, at least I stood up, I sorted myself out. At least I've got two of my kids and I was brave enough to follow my dream no matter what anyone thinks."

The singer said she felt sorry for her mentor Dannii Minogue on last night's Take That themed show after fellow judge Louis Walsh accused her of stealing a song from his group JLS.

She also apologised for making a gun gesture on last week's show, which sparked complaints to ITV and Ofcom.

She said: "I'm really sorry, I don't have a gun, I'm not like that. I think that really was a bit silly now, I'm sorry if I caused any offence."

X Factor once again won the ratings war against BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing. X Factor got 12.2m viewers, whilst Jon Sergeant's final dance on Strictly was watched by 11.7m people.

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