Former X Factor finalist Christopher Maloney has spoken candidly about his severe mental health struggles and a costly plastic surgery addiction, 14 years after finding fame on the ITV talent show.
A Spotlight Without Support
The 48-year-old singer, who finished in third place on the 2012 series, has described being "left to his own devices" after the show ended, contributing to a significant breakdown. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, the Liverpool-born performer insisted he had a positive experience on the show but highlighted a critical lack of aftercare support for contestants.
"I did have a breakdown," Maloney revealed. "That was probably because of the fact that when you are catapulted from being in a regular nine to five job... into the spotlight on a show that's got 15 million viewers, you don't know what you're doing." He added that extra support "would have been nice" and stated the absence of it was likely the reason for his breakdown.
Decades-Long Battle with Self-Harm and Body Dysmorphia
Maloney detailed a lifelong struggle with mental health, beginning with self-harm around the age of five. This battle intensified in his forties, leading to a diagnosis of a complex self-harm condition. "Self harm is on a completely different level and extremely difficult to control," he explained.
In a radical step to cope, he turned to Dynamic Tattoos in Liverpool to cover the scars on his forearms with ink. The tattoos have not only hid my scars, but completely stopped me from self harming, he said, calling it an "extreme" but effective way to manage his condition.
Parallel to this, Maloney has fought body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a condition where a person obsesses over perceived flaws. This has fuelled an extreme plastic surgery addiction, with the singer undergoing 20 procedures in seven years at an estimated cost of £160,000. These include seven nose jobs, eight hair transplants, dental work, and three eye operations.
"Once you've got body dysmorphia, it doesn't go away. It's just trying to manage," he admitted, confessing he is "still addicted to plastic surgery."
Grief and a Call for Change
Maloney's struggles have been compounded by personal tragedy, with the singer grieving the sudden death of his father, Chris, in 2023.
By speaking out, he aims to highlight conditions that are "very rarely talked about" and encourage others to seek help. He is not the only X Factor alum to criticise the show's support system. In response, a spokesperson for The X Factor previously told the Daily Mail that welfare measures, including a dedicated team of psychologists and doctors, were in place during his time on the show, with no time limit on aftercare.
Christopher Maloney's brave account sheds light on the intense psychological pressures faced by reality TV stars and the vital need for sustained mental health support long after the cameras stop rolling.
