Former X Factor contestant Chico Slimani has appeared in court where he pleaded not guilty to a charge of drink driving.
Slimani, 54, who rose to fame during the 2005 series of the ITV talent show and later topped the charts with his hit single It’s Chico Time, appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court where he confirmed his plea.
The court heard that Slimani – whose real name is Yousseph Slimani – is accused of driving while over the legal alcohol limit on 13 December in Southgate, north London.
Police recorded a reading of 40 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, the court was told.
The legal limit in England is 35 microgrammes.
Slimani’s defence argued that he had recently taken cough medicine, which they said can sometimes affect the accuracy of breath-test readings.
Arriving at court wearing a cowboy hat and fur coat, Slimani spoke only to confirm his details and enter his plea. He was released on bail and is due to stand trial on 9 April.
Born in Bridgend, Wales, Slimani moved to Morocco as a child and has previously spoken about helping to look after goats on his grandparents’ farm. In recent years he has moved away from mainstream entertainment, focusing instead on health and wellbeing projects. According to his website, he now runs guided meditation sessions using what he describes as “ancient sounds” designed to encourage “inner peace and tranquillity”.
Slimani first became a household name after his energetic performances on The X Factor, going on to enjoy chart success and a career in television and live entertainment.
Chico Slimani is a passionate advocate for mental health and the founder of HU Breath. A strong believer in the power of meditation and self-development, he encourages people to focus on wellbeing and authenticity in every area of their lives. Through his engaging and immersive presentations, Chico offers participants a reflective space away from everyday pressures. His sessions have become increasingly popular within the corporate world among both business leaders and employees seeking tools for better mental resilience. Organisations looking for an uplifting and motivational mental health speaker often turn to Chico for his unique style and energy.
Drawing on his own past struggles with mental health, Chico uses personal experience to connect with audiences and help them navigate challenging periods in life. He shares the principles behind HU Breath, promoting the benefits of breathwork, movement, visualisation and inner-child exploration as ways to support emotional recovery and wellbeing. Although he does not present himself as a medical or clinical professional, Chico has dedicated much of his career to helping people create positive change. With experience supporting individuals facing fears and mental health challenges, he has built a reputation as an inspiring and relatable speaker for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
See https://mentalhealthspeakers.co.uk/speaker/chico-slimani
