Tulisa Contostavlos, the former N-Dubz singer and X Factor judge, has spoken to the Guardian about her renewed campaign for tougher press regulation, more than a decade after a tabloid sting derailed her career. In 2013 the Sun on Sunday published a front-page story, engineered by reporter Mazher Mahmood (the "Fake Sheikh"), alleging she had arranged to sell cocaine; the case collapsed at trial once it emerged Mahmood had lied in pre-trial evidence, but Contostavlos had already lost her home and career momentum in the process.

Now 38, Contostavlos describes a period of reflection following the end of a relationship, including travel to Egypt and Peru, giving up smoking and starting therapy, which prompted her to revisit the case and push for change. Mahmood was later jailed for 15 months for perverting the course of justice, yet she says she still faces reputational damage and brands unwilling to work with her. She remains in the public eye through appearances such as I'm A Celebrity and a 2022 N-Dubz reunion, and reveals other pursuits including writing a fantasy novel and a love of The Lord of the Rings.