Inmates 'mesmerised' by former X Factor contestant Faye Bray's clothes – claim

A former X Factor contestant wore see-through trousers to work at a young offenders institution in South Staffordshire, leaving the young inmates "mesmerised", an employment tribunal was told.

Faye Bray, who appeared on the show in 2009, is alleged to have worn the trousers which revealed a tattoo on her thigh, and signed emails 'Barbie Shagwell'.

But the 30-year-old claimed on the second day of her tribunal in Birmingham yesterday that an inmate could not possibly see the tattoo – because it was on her bottom – and that 'there was nothing wrong with aspiring to be like Barbie, Katie Price or Pamela Anderson'.

Mother-of-three Mrs Bray, who is accusing her employers, The Manchester College, of unfair dismissal and sexual discrimination, alongside the Secretary of State for Justice, taught young offenders at HMP Brinsford in Featherstone life skills, politics and literacy.

She told the tribunal: "I never wore see-through trousers. I think all the ladies in the room will agree we like to wear white trousers in the summer."

David Jones, representing the college, said there was an interview with a separate inmate saying the clothes Bray wore left him "mesmerised".

Mrs Bray, who had earlier broken down in tears when describing how she was told off for wearing false eyelashes, said she was victimised.

"Other people wore tight fitting clothes," said Bray, who had a breast enlargement before going on the X Factor. Mrs Bray also accused one of her bosses of threatening to punch her in the face when she asked for a day off. "I think it was his very weak attempt at a joke, but we didn't have that kind of relationship," she said.

The tribunal also heard how she recorded a Christmas single while suspended for making public appearances as a singer despite not clearing them with her bosses.

"I was suspended for no reason," she said. "So my loyalty to the company was diminished. "I had a phone call telling me I was suspended but not why."

The tribunal continues.