X Factor star Chico found guilty of drink-driving after breaking sobriety in grief

Former The X Factor contestant Chico has been found guilty of drink-driving after a court delivered its verdict this week, telling the hearing he broke his sobriety following the death of a close friend.

Chico, whose real name is Yousseph Slimani, was convicted at Willesden Magistrates’ Court after being caught over the legal alcohol limit while driving in north London in December.

The 55-year-old told the court he had been teetotal before drinking whisky for several hours after losing a third friend to cancer.

He described the moment as overwhelming, saying he “couldn’t take it” and turned to alcohol despite his long-standing sobriety.

The court heard Slimani had 40 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath when stopped by police in Southgate. The legal limit is 35.

He also said he had taken cold and flu medication before driving, but did not inform officers at the time, explaining his mind was “going at 600,000 mph” following his arrest.

Slimani told the court he had not consumed alcohol since the incident.

He added that the case had already taken a serious toll, pointing to damage to his reputation and work, calling the fallout a “catastrophe”.

The judge said he was sympathetic to Slimani’s bereavements but stressed that excessive drinking and driving could not be excused.

Slimani was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined, along with additional costs and a surcharge. He was also offered a drink-driver rehabilitation course, which could reduce his ban if completed.

Chico rose to fame on The X Factor in 2005, reaching the quarter-finals before releasing his number one single ‘It’s Chico Time’ in 2006.