Former X Factor contestant Chico has entered a not guilty plea to a drink-driving charge following a court appearance where he made a striking sartorial statement.
Court Appearance and Charges
The singer, whose real name is Yousseph Slimani, appeared at Willesden Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 31 December 2025. The 54-year-old is accused of driving a Vauxhall Astra in Chase Way, Southgate, north London, on 13 December while over the legal alcohol limit.
Prosecutors allege he had 40 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit in England and Wales is 35 microgrammes. Slimani formally denied the single charge of drink-driving.
A Memorable Entrance and Career Highlights
Chico's arrival at court was notable, with the Welsh-born performer sporting a long black fur coat and a cowboy hat. The singer rose to fame on the 2005 series of ITV's The X Factor, where his energetic performances, including an infamous dive into judge Sharon Osbourne's pool, secured him a fifth-place finish.
Capitalising on his popularity, he released the single 'It's Chico Time' in 2006, which reached number one in the UK charts and remained there for two weeks. His subsequent career included performances at Butlins, a stint on Dancing on Ice in 2012, and a cameo in Ricky Gervais's series Extras.
Bail Granted and Health Struggles
The magistrate granted Chico bail, and his trial is scheduled for 9 April. This court case follows a significant health challenge for the entertainer. In 2018, his family confirmed he had suffered a stroke and was hospitalised, requesting privacy at the time.
In a 2021 radio interview on talkRADIO, Chico reflected on his reality TV fame, describing contestants as "naïve and silly" for expecting long music careers but acknowledged the platform gave him the chance to "earn a good living" and entertain audiences nationwide.
