X Factor star Rebecca Ferguson was said to be shocked and terrified after her children’s grandfather and uncle were shot.

Karl Dures, 51, was hit in the leg and 27-year-old Craig Dures was shot in the face as they stood on a street corner in Merseyside. Rebecca dated Karl’s son – also called Karl – and had two children with him.

Both men were in hospital at the weekend as the 2010 X Factor runner-up Rebecca, 27, performed on her European tour in Cologne.

Rebecca has said bricklayer Karl, who she met him on holiday in 2003, was her “first love”.

They split before she appeared on the X Factor but his family took their two children, then five and four, to London to watch her perform live.

Rebecca said afterwards, “It was hard splitting from Karl because I think you should always try to stay together when you’ve got children.

“It’s not easy being a single mum but I have a very good, civil relationship with Karl. He lives locally and is an active father.”

Three people were reportedly arrested in Manchester on Saturday in connection with the shooting.