Sinitta has spoken out about Misha B's racism claims, thanking her for "being brave".

Sinitta

Sinitta

The 51-year-old singer has said Misha's comments "broke [her] heart", and revealed she was "busy fighting my own racist battles with certain individuals" at the time.

Misha has claimed 'X Factor' producers portrayed her as an "angry black girl" on the show in 2011.

Sinitta - who has regularly appeared on 'The X Factor' at the Judges' Houses stage - posted a video of Misha thanking fans for their support, and wrote on Instagram: "@iammisha_b Hear #HerStory if it doesn't all play here go to her account and hold up this Sister and True Talent

"Misha , you broke my heart.

"I WAS fighting for your Talent but I didn't know that was going on !! was busy fighting my own Racist battles with certain individuals

"I am older...part of a generation that thought having dignity and pride meant we had to #RiseAbove. pretend it wasn't happening, I found and still find Racism Humiliating and Embarrassing almost as if its MY Fault or Problem and its NOT... but it IS Real Baby Girl, you are not crazy and you did not deserve that...

"Thank you for Being Brave You #MightyWomanOfValor #YourTruth Matters #StandingWithYou

"Remember God Catches and Bottles Every Tear , you are #Precious #Beloved and you are Incredibly #Gifted #staySaltyAndLight (sic)"

This comes after Tulisa Contostavlos apologised for accusing Misha B of being a bully on 'The X Factor' - but denied her comments were racially motivated.

Insisting her actions had "nothing to do with race", Tulisa said: "I didn't wake up and go, 'I want to cause some drama for Misha B because of the colour of her skin.' She did some things that I felt I needed to pull her up on.

"But please believe me when I tell you I do not have a racist bone in my body.

"I owe my life to black people and to black culture, from my career to the music I make, to my very being - who I am as a person."

During the 2011 series, Tulisa - who mentored Little Mix - told Misha: "You being so feisty can come across quite mean."

She also advised Misha - who was diagnosed with PTSD after appearing on the show - to "put aside the attitude".

Misha claimed the comments came amid a calculated effort to portray her as a bully.

She recently said: "They saw an opportunity to tear down a black girl that came from a broken home and worked together to assassinate my character and to sabotage my career by orchestrating lies."

An 'X Factor' spokesperson said: "We are currently looking into this matter and are reaching out to Misha to discuss the important issues she has raised.

"The welfare of contestants is our priority and we are committed to diversity and equality."