Best known for his stint on 'X Factor' in 2005 and his reality TV stints, Chico Slimani has been hospitalised following a stroke.

A family statement released to the MIrror confirmed the news about Chico, real name Yousseph Slimani. "It has been a great shock to Chico, his wife and their two children, also his close friends and family." Slimani placed fifth that year on 'X Factor', with Shayne Ward eventually winning the competition that year. However, Slimani would go on to release a novelty single, 'It's Chico Time', which would go on to unseat Madonna from the top of the UK charts for a period of time.

Slimani, 45, followed up his stint on 'X Factor' with appearances on 'Dancing On Ice', 'Total Wipeout' and the shortlived 'CelebAir'.