Former X Issue contestant Chico, actual identify is Yousseph Slimani, pleaded not responsible to drink-driving throughout an look in Willesden Magistrates’ Courtroom on Tuesday December 30. The 54-year-old from north London is accused of drink-driving in Chase Approach, Southgate, on December 13. The court docket heard Slimani is alleged to have pushed an Vauxhall Astra with 40 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The authorized restrict of alcohol for driving in England is 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres. Following his plea he was given bail and can seem for trial on April 9, 2026.

The star wore an understated search for his court docket look wearing a black shirt and trousers with a protracted black overcoat defending him from the chilly. He wore a tan colored hat on his head. When he briefly eliminated it his lengthy hair, tied right into a ponytail, was seen beneath. He introduced a small wheelie case with him for the looks and was seen looking out in it outdoors the court docket.

Chico discovered fame because of his look on the Simon Cowell led ITV expertise present in 2005.

Cowell was not a fan of his quirky type and walked out of his preliminary audition, by which he carried out If I Ever Fall in Love by Shai and Kiss from Prince and the Revolution.

Fellow judges Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne voted him by to the second spherical and he made it by to the dwell exhibits within the over 25s class.

He was mentored by Osbourne and made all of it the best way to the semi remaining even finally profitable Cowell round who subsequently commented Chico was a ‘born entertainer’

That 12 months’s competitors was received by Shayne Ward in December 2005 however regardless of dropping Chico went on to high the charts in February 2006.

His single It is Chico Time  entered the UK Singles Chart at primary on 5 March 2006, remaining there for a fortnight and  toppling Madonna from the highest spot. 

Subsequent singles didn’t match the success of his debut however he continued to be common on the dwell circuit touring golf equipment and vacation camps as The Chico Expertise.

In 2018 it was confirmed he had suffered a stroke on 21 September, aged 47.