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Former The X Factor host Dermot O'Leary defends show after flurry of contestant complaints as he insists people were 'treated really well'

Several former contestants have come out and slammed the show in recent years, including Katie Waissel, Rebecca Ferguson , Cher Loyd and Jedward.

MailOnline understands that a psychologist was present at all judge auditions, bootcamp and key stages in the competition and a doctor was on hand to supervise the screening of participants for welfare concerns and provide support across the series. The singer, who came in second place on the reality show's seventh series, said her experience was common but claimed poor behaviour was being ignored because people thought 'you have to put up with it'. She was one of a series of stars to give evidence to MPs on the Women and Equalities Committee as part of a report into misogyny and discrimination in the UK music scene.

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