[Holly Christmas]

A former X Factor finalist was caught shoplifting and told the shop assistant to 'go back to Africa' when she was confronted, a court heard.

Rachel Hylton, who reached the final six in 2008, grabbed the man's neck and poked another worker in the face before throwing a shopping basket.

The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to stealing £26 worth of food at Croydon Magistrates Court today.

She also plead guilty to assaulting Peter Njoku, using racially aggravated threatening behaviour and assaulting Abigail Kelly.

Prosecutor Rahab Njoroge told the court that Mr Njoku had spotted Rachel putting items into her bag without paying and confronted her.