Oritsé Williams today opened up about the 'torment' he has endured following three years of rape accusation.
The JLS star spoke in an exclusive interview with Good Morning Britain after being unanimously cleared of rape in May by a jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Oritsé was accused of raping a fan in 2016 after a gig in Wolverhampton, and later charged in September 2018.
Speaking to ITV presenters Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid, Oritsé said his ordeal left him unable to work during that time.
"It's been horrific. I haven't been able to work for three years,” he said.
“I had this accusation hanging over my head every single day from the time I woke up to the time I went to sleep. It's just completely tormented me.
"But I had two choices, either I could let it drag me under and destroy me or stay strong and hope the truth would come out, which ultimately it did.”
The singer explained that the worst part about his ordeal was the effect it has had on his family.
"I tried to protect my mother from the whole thing. When you’re in the public eye you can’t stop it,” he continued.
"My family as so loving. I've had so much unconditional love and support from them all and my friends.
"Even now public and my fans have been amazing. Come out and openly supported me. It has been trial by social media."
Oritsé went on to show some sympathy towards those calling for people accused of crimes to have anonymity, but stressed that real victims should be urged to come forward.
"Of course I sympathise with those calling for anonymity because of it has affected my life and my own experiences," he said.
"I would have loved for it to be over or for me to be able to clear my name as quickly as possible so I could move forward with my life.
"We have to continue to encourage real victims to come forward. There has to be consideration on both sides."
During the three years, Oritsé told the hosts that he threw himself into his music, adding that he believes he has written “some of the best songs of my life” during that time.
He said: "I’ve had a lot of time on my hands over the last few years. I've been reconnecting as a songwriter and immersing myself in my music. I believe I've written some of the best songs of my life in this period.
"I’ve poured my heart out into these songs, bled all over them. At some point when the time is right I want to share them with people."
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV at 6am.
