Thursday, 22 July 2010

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Simon Cowell being sued for £2.5m by Britain's Got Talent contestant

Emma Amelia Pearl Czikai wants her claims to be heard at an employment tribunal

Emma Amelia Pearl Czikai appeared on Britain's Got Talent last year

A former Britain's Got Talent contestant is suing Simon Cowell for £2.5million.

Singer Emma Amelia Pearl Czikai, 54, claims she was mocked by the music mogul and fellow judges Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden in scenes aired on the ITV show in May 2009.

'This is a beautiful song when you're not singing it and I think I speak on behalf of everyone that you have a horrible singing voice,' Simon, 50, told her following her performance.

Emma suffers from fibromyalgia, which causes widespread pain in the body.

She also claims she was the victim of disability discrimination because bosses allegedly dismissed that her condition prevented her from singing properly in noisy environments.  

Emma made her claims at a hearing in London yesterday to review whether she can take her case to an employment tribunal.

'I haven't got a horrible singing voice when I sing in a fair environment that meets the needs of my particular disabilities,' she said.

'Britain's Got Talent have sought to accrue profit to themselves through exploitation of a film clip that they know perpetrates a lie that I cannot sing.'

Emma is seeking £300,000 for her injured feelings, compensation of £1million and loss of earnings of £1.25million.

Simon's lawyers oppose the case going to an employment tribunal, claiming Britain's Got Talent is not an employer and that staff had no prior knowledge of her condition. 

The hearing continues.

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