This is the moment a former X Factor star pops up on Question Time to ask Labour’s Cabinet Secretary about Vladimir Putin.
Katie Waissel came into the public eye when she was the tenth contestant eliminated in the seventh series of The X Factor. She is also known for being a housemate in Celebrity Big Brother, where she finished in eighth place.
However, last night the 38-year-old made a shock appearance on BBC One’s Question Time to ask the panel about Russia.
After being referred to by host Fiona Bruce as ‘the woman in the green top’, Waissel asked Steve Reed MP: ‘In your opening words you mentioned about Vladimir Putin and so I wanted to just ask if the Labour party was privy to any information that the United Kingdom may not be.
‘I’m just curious as to why you would mention that and should we be privy to this information.’
Former X Factor Star Katie Waissel appeared on Question Time last night to ask Labour’s Cabinet Secretary about Vladimir Putin
The 38-year-old’s shock appearance attracted attention from people across social media
Waissel pictured on X Factor, where she was the tenth contestant eliminated in the seventh series
Mr Reed replied: ‘The reason was because it was Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine that caused such a problem with the supply of fossil fuels to the UK because of the sanctions that were put on Russia following that.
‘If we control our own energy in this country – wind wave, solar and nuclear – we don’t have to import fossil fuels from elsewhere, we control our own energy then the actions of foreign dictators like Putin don’t affect us.
‘It keeps us safer and keeps us more secure but it cuts energy bills as well because clean energy is cheaper than fossil energy.’
People across social media were shocked to see the singer-songwriter on the programme, with one person writing: ‘Not Fiona Bruce addressing Katie Waissel as “woman in the green top”.’
Another commented: ‘Watching Question Time and pretty sure the X-Factor’s Katie Waissel has just asked a question about Labour being privy to info about Putin that the public isn’t …? Bit odd.’
A third wrote: ‘X Factor’s Katie Waissel just asked a question on #BBCQT???’
A fourth also said: ‘Well, I didn’t have Katie Waissel on my election 2024 bingo card #bbcqt.’
Steve Reed MP was asked by Waissel why he mentioned Vladimir Putin in his opening speech
Waissel pictured entering the Big Brother House where she finished in eighth place
Ms Waissel pictured during the live results on The X Factor back in 2010
Earlier this year, Waissel said that eight household names have been victims of sexual abuse and harassment in the showbiz industry.
‘There is an abuse of power and intimidation tactics are being used,’ she told The Sun.
‘There are so many people who aren’t even speaking out because they are absolutely petrified about losing job opportunities.’
Of those who have told her of their trauma, one celebrity was taken advantage of after being ‘plied with booze’ at star-studded secret parties.
Another was reportedly ‘lured’ into a hotel room by a senior music industry worker ‘who then abused their position of power’ while a third ‘performed sexual acts on a director to advance their career’.
This came after the former X Factor star said she received acid attack and death threats while on the show, and suffered both panic attacks and suicidal thoughts.