Chico Slimani's Sobriety Broken by Grief, Leads to Drink-Driving Charge

Chico Slimani, known for his 2005 X Factor appearance and hit song 'It's Chico Time,' was convicted of drink-driving on April 10, 2026. The 55-year-old singer, whose real name is Yousseph Slimani, told Willesden magistrates court that his arrest occurred shortly after he broke a period of sobriety. He explained that he had consumed whisky for six hours and taken cold and flu medicine following the loss of a third close friend to cancer.

Slimani stated that he has remained teetotal and abstained from alcohol since that incident in December 2025. He was subsequently disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay a £600 fine and costs. The court also offered him a place on a drink-drivers' rehabilitation scheme. The judge acknowledged Slimani's bereavements but emphasized that excessive drinking and medication use prior to driving were unacceptable.

The singer described the event as a "catastrophe" that led to damage to his reputation and loss of work. He expressed concern about the implications of his arrest, given his history of sobriety and charity involvement.