Chico Slimani has shared a heartfelt tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, recalling a pivotal moment from the X Factor that he says changed the course of his career.
Speaking to GB News following the emotional scenes at the 2026 Grammy Awards, where Sharon Osbourne was left in tears during tributes to her late husband, the Chico Time singer reflected on the rock legend’s lasting impact on his life.
Mr Slimani described his time on the ITV talent show as something he would repeat “at the drop of a hat”, calling it one of the most formative experiences of his career.
“I just remember it with the fondest of memories, incredible experiences, meeting the loveliest of people,” he said, adding that the show’s early years were defined by “the entertainment, the originality, the rawness of it, the organicness of it”.
Mr Slimani shared a touching tribute to Ozzy Osbourne
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However, it was a dramatic performance moment involving a swimming pool, and an unexpected reaction from Mr Osbourne, that remains etched in his memory.
Recalling the infamous incident where he leapt into a pool mid-performance while holding a live microphone, Mr Slimani admitted: “I didn’t even think I had a live microphone in my hand. I could have electrocuted myself.”
What followed, he said, was life-changing.
Mr Slimani revealed: “Ozzy literally comes up and goes, ‘I thought that was freaking amazing.”
Chico rose to fame as a contestant on the 2005 series of The X Factor
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“That was a pivotal moment for me, in the sense of the ones that didn’t like me, weren’t sure about me, were like, ‘well, you know what, if he’s good enough for Ozzy Osbourne, he’s good enough for us’.”
The singer went on to explain that Mr Osbourne later played a crucial role during one of his lowest moments on the show, when he considered quitting altogether after harsh press criticism.
“I was just broken,” Mr Slimani said, referencing a headline questioning whether he was “the biggest waste of space on British TV”.
He credits Mr Osbourne with encouraging him to stay true to himself.
Chico Slimani made history as the first contestant to perform an original song during the live shows
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“He said to me, ‘yo my brother, to thyself be true,’” Mr Slimani recalled.
“That’s right, my brother, because it’s Chico time,” he said, adding: “He said, ‘that’s a song’.”
The track went on to make X Factor history.
Mr Slimani said “It was the first original song that was ever sung on live TV and it also went on to get a number one.”
The former reality TV star said his journey since the X Factor has been one of gratitude rather than resentment.
“We were treated fabulously, and we’ve all gone on to do some amazing things,” he said, listing his charity work, pantomime roles, fitness ventures and bestselling book.
Above all, Mr Slimani made clear that Mr Osbourne’s influence extended far beyond music.
“It allowed me to go on and create some amazing things that are helping people as we speak,” he said.
‘Chico’ gushed over his time on the X Factor
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The Chico Time singer’s comments about his positive experience on The X Factor come amid renewed scrutiny of the show, after a number of former contestants united to speak out about what they describe as a “toxic” environment behind the scenes.
Several ex-participants have accused the programme of fostering intense pressure during filming, with some going as far as to pursue legal action against Mr Simon Cowell and his production company.
In August 2022, reports emerged that five former X Factor contestants were preparing a £1million lawsuit against Syco Entertainment, alleging “trauma, mistreatment and neglect”.
They claimed contestants were treated as “pawns”, subjected to sleep deprivation and extreme stress, and left without adequate aftercare once the show ended.
Among them was Katie Waissel, who competed in 2010 and later retrained as a lawyer.
She has pursued a civil personal injury claim against Syco Entertainment, alleging a breach of duty of care.
Ms Waissel has said she suffered PTSD, panic attacks and suicidal thoughts after being branded the “most hated” contestant on the show, and has described the contracts as manipulative.
However, not all stars from Mr Cowell’s reality TV franchises have shared those criticisms.
Kelly Clarkson, the first-ever winner of American Idol, publicly praised Mr Cowell during his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2018, crediting him with “changing her life”.
Meanwhile, Little Mix’ Jade Thirlwall has spoken openly about mental health struggles following her time on the show but has remained conflicted about criticising it outright, previously saying the X Factor “changed [her] life” and made her career possible.
