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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Daniel Bird

X Factor's Sam Bailey pulled autistic son out of school after bullies targeted him

X Factor sensation Sam Bailey has opened up about why she pulled her son Tommy out of school before securing him a place in a special school.

Tommy, 12, lives with Autism and bullies at his former school used this to their advantage as they targeted Sam's son.

Sam, 45, who found fame on the former ITV talent show has spoken openly about her struggles to secure a place in a school which accommodated Tommy's needs.

The singer previously explained that Tommy had been educated at home for the best part of a year due to the difficulties she had faced.

Sam Bailey has opened up about why she pulled her son out of school (sambaileysinger/Instagram)
Sam has spoken openly about Tommy's struggles (Instagram)

In an exclusive preview of The Thomas Green Podcast, shared with the Mirror, the Take It Out On The Dancefloor hitmaker said: "I pulled my son out of school purely because he retaliated by hitting somebody on the back.

"He did it to protect himself but I pulled him out because I don’t want him to think that violence is the answer.

"He's now in a specialist school, he goes to a special school for children with autism or ASD on the spectrum."

Sam went on to say: "He started last week and I don’t want my kids to ever think that violence is the answer.

Sam shares her children with husband Craig (sambaileysinger/Instagram)

"I have seen prisoners that have never done anything wrong in their life, got in a fight protecting somebody, hit someone and they have cracked their head and they are doing a life sentence for it.

"I don't want my kids to think that is ok."

Last month, Sam opened up about her struggles after visiting London with her family, including Tommy who she explained struggled to cope in the city.

The star said that since learning of Tommy's diagnosis two years ago, it's been a "big learning curve" but she wants to test the boundaries so he can be comfortable when he's older.

Sam also appeared to take a pop at fellow singer Rita Ora (GC Images)
Sam believes that Rita Ora 'hasn't done the graft' to get to where she is (Thames / Syco Entertainment / ITV)

Elsewhere, the star who supported Beyoncé on tour went on to claim that Rita Ora "doesn't sing live" and "hasn't done the graft".

Rita, 31, appeared on The Voice UK as a coach before working on The X Factor as a judge but Sam doesn't believe she has the right credentials.

"I don't think I'd want to be on the show if Rita Ora was a judge when I was on because what could she possibly teach me?" she asked.

Sam added: "I don't think she could teach me or critique me when I sing live and she doesn't, sometimes.

"She is one of that category, where she is a great singer and looks great but was just fed it from a very young age.

"She was at drama school and they told her she was going to be a star, she hasn't done the graft."

The Mirror has approached Rita Ora for comment.

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct at 0207 29 33033.

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