X Factor star Christopher Maloney reveals his childhood bullying hell

Nov 2 2012 by Tina Miles, Liverpool Echo

X-FACTOR fans’ favourite Christopher Maloney today told how he wants to help bullied kids after he was tormented by bullies as a child.

The singer, who was raised in Kirkdale, suffered years of abuse at the hands of playground thugs.

He revealed his heartache for the first time to the ECHO while back in Liverpool to visit family.

He shared painful memories of being spat on, pelted with stones and rocks and kicked to the ground by his tormentors.

But Christopher, who show sources claim is leading in the votes every week, said the hard times have made him even more determined to succeed.

And he has spoken to mentor Gary Barlow about how to use his newfound fame in a positive way.

He is set to kick-start his charity work with a visit to The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, in Bebington, later this month.

Christopher, who attended the former Campion Boys’ School, said: “I was bullied from the ages of 12 to 16. It was physical as well as verbal abuse. It was a terrible time.

“Every day I went into school, I used to try to get myself through the day. It was constant. People would be spitting on my blazer and tripping me up.