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Alexandra Davies, a contestant in the new series of X-Factor, has accused the shows producers of exploiting a recent spate of suicides in her home town.

Davies said she was manipulated in to talking about the tragic run of deaths in Bridgend, which currently stands at 23, during her interview on the opening episode.

Davies, who was put through to the boot-camp stages by judges, said in her interview: "Because of all the bad press that Bridgend has had recently I just think hat getting through would be a good bit of news that we need.

"Today is a big deal. This is where my confidence needs to deliver and I can prove to myself that I can do this."

But she now claims she was encouraged to talk about the subject against her wishes and has denied that she was seeking sympathy.

“They thought that up when I said I was from Bridgend. The producers wanted me to talk about it but I didn’t want to, just in case I offended someone’s family,” she told the Telegraph.

"I would much rather be known for the talent than the girl that comes from the suicide town. I didn’t know I was going to be on television and didn’t think I would be on as much as I was."

A spokesperson for X-Factor denied that the programme deliberately focussed on the suicides and said “absolutely no pressure placed on Alexandra during filming nor did she, or her parents, raise any concerns about her interview."