Former X Factor star Chico breaks silence after having a stroke
The news emerged last week
Last updated 26th Sep 2018
Last week, the shock news that the former X Factor star Chico, had suffered a stroke, was released by his publicist. The statement released at the time said, "We can confirm that Chico has sadly suffered a stroke. This has been a great shock to Chico, his wife and their two children, also his close friends and family."
The statement continued, "We thank you in advance for giving Chico and the family some privacy at this time. Chico is now undergoing further tests and further statements will be released shortly."
Now, just a week and a bit later, Chico has broken his silence about the scary moment he experienced the stroke at the age of just 47. In a recent interview Chico explained how he had been driving home to North London, after an energetic workout session with holidaymakers. As he was driving he began to lose control of his senses and blacked out shortly after he had pulled over.
Chico revealed, "My angels were working over time that day," as he recounted the scary moment it happened.
"My eyes were going in the back of my head literally - I was in a bad way. I was far from OK," he continued.
After having the stroke, Chico sat in his car for two hours before amazingly managing to get enough strength to drive home. The next day he then drove over 100 miles for another workout session at another seaside resort, but still feeling the effects from his stroke he began to struggle with his speech and he couldn't move his left hand.
Now take a look at all of The X Factor singles:
2004: Steve Brookstein - 'Against All Odds' (Over 25s)
Steve Brookstein's winning single debuted at Number 2 in the UK charts behind Band Aid 20's 'Do They Know It's Christmas', the following week it went to Number 1.
2005: Shayne Ward - 'That's My Goal' (16–24s)
Shayne Ward was the second winner of the competition and released an original song - whereas most winners released the covers. 'That's My Goal' became the fastest-selling song of 2005!
2006: Leona Lewis - 'A Moment Like This' (16–24s)
According to reports, 1 million copies of the single were pre-ordered by stores and it was downloaded 50,000 times within 30 minutes of being available online! It reached Number 1 in both the UK singles and download charts.
2007: Leon Jackson - 'When You Believe' (Boys)
The single was another successful winners' single getting to Number 1 in the UK and becoming a Christmas Number 1.
2008: Alexandra Burke - 'Hallelujah' (Girls)
Alexandra's 'Hallelujah' became a Christmas Number 1 for the fifth X Factor winner.
2009: Joe McElderry - 'The Climb' (Boys)
After winning the competition, Joe McElderry's version of 'The Climb' went to Number 1 in the UK. The song was a cover of the Miley Cyrus song which was also released in the same year and featured in Hannah Montana: The Movie.
2010: Matt Cardle - 'When We Collide' (Boys)
Matt Cardle won the seventh series of The X Factor and released his cover of 'When We Collide' (original title - 'Many of Horror'). The song reached Number 1 in the UK and became the second bestselling single of 2010.
2011: Little Mix - 'Cannonball' (Groups)
They might be releasing Number 1 songs here, there and everywhere, but back in 2011 Little Mix won The X Factor and released 'Cannonball'. Unlike past winner's singles, the song wasn't released during the week of the popular Christmas Number 1 battle. The song debuted at Number 1 becoming the fastest-selling single of the year.
2012: James Arthur - 'Impossible' (Boys)
James Arthur's cover of 'Impossible' was released immediately after he won the ninth series of The X Factor. The single became the fastest-selling winning single from The X Factor!
2013: Sam Bailey - 'Skyscraper' (Over 25s)
'Skyscraper', originally sung by Demi Lovato was released by 2013's X Factor winner, Sam Bailey. The song became a Christmas Number 1 with all proceeds from the single going to Great Ormond Street Hospital and Together for Short Lives.
2014: Ben Haenow - 'Something I Need' (Over 25s)
Once again The X Factor winner hit the top spot for Christmas in 2014.
2015: Louisa Johnson - 'Forever Young' (Girls)
Louisa Johnson released her version of 'Forever Young' however, unlike many of the previous winners' singles it didn't make the top spot, only reaching Number 9 in the UK.
2016: Matt Terry - 'When Christmas Comes Around' (Boys)
Written by none-other than Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge, 'When Christmas Comes Around' was The X Factor's second ever original song to be released as the winner's single. It debuted at Number 3 in the UK.
2017: Rak-Su - 'Dimelo' (Groups)
'Dimelo' was yet another original single to be released as an X Factor winners' single. It reached Number 2 in the UK, being kept off the top spot by Ed Sheeran's 'Perfect'.
2018: Dalton Harris featuring James Arthur - 'The Power of Love'
The 'It's Chico Time' singer was taken to hospital the following day by his concerned wife Daniyela, where they found out The X Factor star had suffered a stroke.
Thankfully, Chico is recovering well now, but he was found to have a 2 cm blood clot to his brain, which doctors say could have killed him.
Chico rose to prominence during The X Factor in 2005, after getting through to the quarter finals. The singer had a Number 1 hit with 'It's Chico Time' in 2006, which even pushed Madonna off the top spot. In 2008, he appeared on the reality TV show CelebAir ending in third place.
The new series of The X Factor has started with a brand new judging line-up consisting of husband and wife duo, Robbie Williams and Ayda Williams, along with One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson and returning head judge Simon Cowell.