Former Britain’s Got Talent Star who signed £1 million deal accused of raping two women

A former Britain’s Got Talent finalist is on trial accused of raping and sexually assaulting two women.

Andrew Johnston, 30, rose to fame in 2008 at the age of 13 after appearing on the ITV talent show, securing a £1 million record deal with Simon Cowell’s Syco Music. His debut album One Voice reached number five in the UK charts.

Johnston now stands trial at Southwark Crown Court, facing two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He denies all charges.

The prosecution alleges that Johnston forcibly raped two women in separate incidents, removing condoms without consent and pinning them down while grabbing them by the throat.

Prosecutor Maryam Syed KC told the jury the allegations stem from later years and involve non-consensual sexual activity, despite initially consensual encounters.

One woman told police Johnston removed the condom without her knowledge during intercourse. Despite repeatedly saying “stop,” she claimed he continued, holding one hand around her throat and using the other to pin down her arms. She said she had to slam her hands on his chest before he stopped.

The woman also alleged that Johnston later groped her at a club and forcibly kissed her outside the venue.

Under cross-examination, Johnston’s defence barrister Rupert Kent suggested the sex was consensual and that the complainant had exaggerated the events—allegations she firmly denied.

The second complainant reported that Johnston again removed a condom without consent, and repeatedly placed his hands around her throat during intercourse, despite her attempts to remove them.

Ms Syed said the women’s statements were strikingly similar, describing Johnston’s behaviour as abusive and deliberate.

Johnston, of Newtown Road, Carlisle, provided a prepared statement to police but otherwise answered no comment in interviews.

The trial continues.