Former Britain's Got Talent Finalist Andrew Johnston Acquitted of Rape Charges

Andrew Johnston arriving at Southwark Crown Court

Andrew Johnston, 30, a former finalist on Britain’s Got Talent, has been found not guilty of raping and sexually assaulting two women following a trial at Southwark Crown Court. The singer, originally from Dumfries, Scotland, rose to fame in 2008 after competing as a choirboy on the televised talent show and later released a chart-topping album that reached number four in the UK.

During the trial, Johnston was accused of raping one woman and raping and sexually assaulting another. The prosecution alleged that Johnston engaged in consensual sexual activity with one of the women but removed his condom without consent and ignored her repeated pleas to stop. The woman claimed she stayed overnight following the incident because she felt "frozen." The second complainant said she also consented to sex and asked Johnston to use a condom. She alleged that he removed it and continued while placing his hands around her throat.

Former Britain’s Got Talent contestant Andrew Johnston

Johnston denied all charges, telling the jury that the accusations were false and that both women had told “a pack of lies.” He insisted that all encounters were entirely consensual and denied being aggressive at any point. The jury, comprised of nine women and three men, returned not guilty verdicts on all charges.

As the verdicts were read aloud, Johnston, dressed in a grey suit, broke down in court, holding his head in his hands and sobbing. He said that since the allegations, he had not sung a note, experienced severe depression, and suffered the loss of a personal relationship. “I was in a bad place. I was just in a really bad place,” he told the court.

Andrew Johnston was 13 when he competed on Britain's Got Talent

Johnston, who moved to Carlisle, Cumbria, as an infant, experienced a rapid rise to fame after his time on television. He toured with other finalists and released music before his career was halted by the allegations. His acquittal marks the conclusion of a legal battle that significantly impacted his mental health and personal life.