A teenage X Factor contestant from Bridgend has accused producers of deliberately manipulating her to sensationalise the reality show.

Alexandra Davies, 17, claims she was coaxed by producers to talk about a spate of 23 young suicides in the area in the last two years.

The young singer, who was voted through to the next round after performing Eva Cassidy's Fields Of Gold, was featured prominently in the first auditions show and explicitly linked to the Welsh town and its tragic reputation.

In the spotlight: Alexandra Davies, 17, claims she was manipulated by producers to make the show more sensational

Host Dermot O'Leary introduced her and said: 'Alex's home town of Bridgend had bad press recently after a shocking spate of youth suicides.

'She's hoping that success today might provide some welcome good news for a town that's been living under a cloud.'

After her audition in front of judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh, Alexandra said on camera that her success would boost the town's morale.

She said: 'Because of all the bad press that Bridgend has had recently I just think that getting through would be a good bit of news that we need.

'Today is a big deal. This is where my confidence needs to deliver and I can prove to myself that I can do this.'

Alexandra performed Eva Cassidy's Fields Of Gold before X Factor judges Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell

However, she has now criticised producers for pressing her to talk about the suicides against her will and said she was not looking for a sympathy vote.

She said: 'They thought that up when I said I was from Bridgend.

'The producers wanted me to talk about it but I didn't want to, just in case I offended someone's family.'

Alexandra did not know any of the suicide victims personally.

She said: 'I would much rather be known for the talent than the girl that comes from the suicide town.

'I didn't know I was going to be on television and didn't think I would be on as much as I was.'

Alexandra's mother Paula Watts, 38, said the producers should not have coerced her daughter to talk on the subject. 

Impressive: The singer impressed the judges and got through to the next round

She said: 'It's wrong that they try to make innocent people make comment. She didn't know anyone affected and how must the families be thinking about it? We don't know what it's like.'

Darren Matthews, director of Bridgend Samaritans, said the show was in danger of making light of the despair felt by many who live in the town.

He said: 'Yes, there are positive things happening, but for so many people life is not positive. We wouldn't want to trivialise what has gone on in the area.'

A spokesman for the programme said: 'Alexandra gave a wide-ranging interview about issues which were relevant, important and personal to her, which we accurately reflected in the programme.

X Factor hopefuls line up for auditions - but now the show's bosses have been accused of 'trivialising the issue of suicide for entertainment'

'She talked openly and candidly about wanting to bring some good news back to her home town.

'There was absolutely no pressure placed on Alexandra during filming nor did she, or her parents, raise any concerns about her interview.'

An ITV spokesman added: 'The brief mention of the Bridgend connection in Alexandra's story was not meant to sensationalise but to highlight a positive story in light of the recent press.'

The Bridgend Samaritans can be reached on 01656 662333, or at 2 Green Street, Bridgend, or email jo@samaritans.org. Childline can be contacted on 0800 1111 and Papyrus, specialists in preventing young suicide, can be reached on 01282 432555.