X FACTOR star Chico may have exceeded the drink-drive limit because he took cough medicine before being breathalysed, a court has heard.
The 54-year-old singer – who donned a fur coat and cowboy hat to court – pleaded not guilty to drink-driving in Southgate, London, on December 13.
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Chico arrived at court donning a cowboy hat and black fur coatCredit: PAHe pleaded not guilty to a drink driving offenceCredit: Rex FeaturesChico’s real name is Yousseph SlimaniCredit: PA
Chico – whose real name is Yousseph Slimani – appeared in the 2005 series of the TV talent show and later released a number one single, It’s Chico Time.
He is accused of driving a Vauxhall Astra with 40 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, Willesden Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday.
The legal limit of alcohol for driving in England is 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres.
Chico had consumed cough medicine before giving the reading and that could have impacted its accuracy, Sarah King, defending, said.
Slimani pleaded not guilty and was given bail until his trial on April 9.
Welsh-born Chico found fame after reaching the quarter finals of the X Factor in 2005.
Simon Cowell famously walked out of his initial X Factor audition after fellow judges Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne voted him through.
In 2006, Chico had a number one hit on the British charts titled It’s Chico Time, which became his signature catchphrase.
In 2008, he appeared on the reality TV show CelebAir alongside socialite Tamara Beckwith and singer Lisa Maffia.
In 2010, Slimani recorded a single in support of the English Football Team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, aptly called “It’s England Time”, a play on “It’s Chico Time”.
He also competed in ITV’s 2012 series of Dancing on Ice.
In 2018, he was rushed to hospital after suffering a stroke.
Recently, he launched his own fitness app called Block Fit which includes workout classes based around his hits.
Chico married singer Daniyela Rakic, sister of Wimbledon Champion Nenad Zimonjić, and the couple have two children.
The star maintained a TV profile after finishing fifth on the X FactorCredit: Channel 4Slimani was given bail until his trial which will take place next year on April 9.Credit: Andrew Styczynski
The six-part series followed Simon through auditions and recording studio bootcamp as he selected seven boys for the group.
The second run will pick up where it left off and show December 10 heading to Nashville to record new music, prepare for launch and take their first steps towards fame.
Simon Cowell: The Next Act has dominated the top three on Netflix since its launch last Wednesday.
A source said: “There was a quiet hope that a show about finding a boyband would be as popular now as it was back in the days of The X Factor, but everyone has been thrilled by the reception because of course the whole world of entertainment has totally changed since then.
But there’s been another big character behind The Next Act’s success with viewers – the newly-minted Mrs Cowell.
Fans have loved seeing Lauren Silverman’s personality shine as part of the fly-on-the-wall scenes at home with Simon and their son Eric.
The source added: “The whole show has been a real boost for the whole family really, Simon is back doing what he loves and he’s been happy to reveal a little more about who he really is behind closed doors.
“Production firm Box To Box are back shooting the content for series two and it’s hoped Netflix will be on board to stream the next chapter of The Next Act.”
It comes after Simon told The Sun last week that he’s confident the boys will be a success.
Simon revealed December 10 had chosen the name themselves because it was the release date of the documentary
Iris eyes easy life
Iris Law, the daughter of Sadie Frost and Jude Law, reclining on a sofa for a shoot for Los Angeles-based fashion brand CasablancaCredit: Casablanca/Corentin Leroux
No wonder top model Iris Law is enjoying a lie down after a stellar year on the catwalk.
She has walked in Victoria’s Secret’s fashion show and fronted campaigns for Marc Jacobs, Knwls and Zara.
But Iris, the daughter of Sadie Frost and Jude Law, isn’t just taking it easy, she was reclining on the sofa for a shoot for Los Angeles-based fashion brand Casablanca.
She is one of the most in-demand women in fashion, so I’m sure we will see a lot more of her in 2026.
Thor-t I’d be actor
Chris Hemsworth says he became ‘obsessed’ with acting from a young age, admitting the dream became an escapism long before he realised how tough the reality would beCredit: Getty
THOR superhero Chris Hemsworth became “obsessed” with being an actor at a young age.
On the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast he said: “Once I locked into the idea that I was going to become an actor, it was an absolute obsession.
“There was no doubt that was what I was going to do. There was a naivety about the reality of how difficult that was going to be.
“But I guess it was sort of an escapism.”
Christina Aguilera’s brand new single Someday At Christmas was recorded at the Eiffel TowerCredit: Supplied
If you’re bored of the same old festive tunes, check out Christina Aguilera’s brand new festive album Christmas In Paris.
It was created in the French capital this year and celebrates the 25th anniversary of her album My Kind Of Christmas.
Lead single Someday At Christmas was recorded at the Eiffel Tower and the album is out now.
Judi hero Jagger rolls up
Dame Judi Dench meets Sir Mick JaggerCredit: PA
With a stellar acting career and a little black book packed with some of the biggest names in showbiz, it’s amazing to see Dame Judi Dench still gets starstruck.
Her friend Gyles Brandreth organised for Sir Mick Jagger to come on stage to surprise her as she was interviewed about her career, inset, at London’s Sondheim Theatre.
The former Bond actress was stunned by her idol’s appearance.
Sharing snaps of the moment online, Gyles said: “I’ve been working in the theatre for nearly 60 years and I’ve never known a moment quite like it.
“As a surprise, I invited Sir Mick Jagger on to the stage. Dame Judi Dench told me it was her dream to meet him.
“He was amazing: she was overwhelmed. Yesss.”
He added of the legendary Rolling Stones frontman: “He kindly made her dream come true. What a night.”
Huge congratulations to Essex lad Sam King who has just completed 79 marathons in 79 days for brain injury charity Headway UK.
I told you about Sam’s challenge last month after one of his pals got in touch to tell me about his feat.
And after adding five extra marathons on to his challenge, Sam has now set a new world record for the most consecutive ultramarathons run by a male – completing 79 in 79 days.
Sam took on the challenge to raise money for Headway UK, after they supported his mum when she suffered a life-changing bleed on her brain.
He’s now just short of his £74,000 fundraisingtarget so if you want to get involved and donate, check out his Instagram @fatboysking.
Madge ‘n Guy reunite for Rocco
MADONNA and Guy Ritchie put aside their differences for the sake of their son Rocco.
The former couple, who were last pictured together in 2008 – when they divorced – were proud as punch to support Rocco’s art exhibition in London.
