X Factor: TV3's mea culpa: We told only one side

Shae Brider's appearance on The X Factor has upset the family of his victim. Photo / Nathan Crombie

An apology has aired on The X Factor NZ after it featured convicted killer Shae Brider's audition, traumatising the family of his victim.

In the show's opening segment host Dominic Bowden appeared in a pre-recorded message apologising "unreservedly" for any offence caused.

"We acknowledge that Shae's interview on the show was only one side of the story and did not allow for the victim's family to tell their side and for that we at TV3 unreservedly apologise for any hurt or distress that this has caused the family," Bowden said.

"It was never our intention to cause offence and for that we are truly sorry."

Brider, 29, was sentenced to eight years' jail for his part alongside three others in the killing of 16-year-old Jeremy Frew and the assault of three other men the same night.

TV3 screened his audition last Tuesday night featuring a back story segment where he revealed an incomplete and misleading version of events that has "traumatised" Jeremy's family, some of whom were watching the show unaware Brider would appear.

In the back story he said: "I met some dudes and we went to a bonfire," the Masterton man told the show. "There was a commotion with two of them and one of them stabbed the other one and he ended up passing away."

Donna Travers, who relocated to Australia following her sons' murder, complained to the show for airing the segment that downplayed Brider's involvement and did not mention the other three people the group had assaulted.

She said the family did not care Brider was on the show and believed he deserved a second chance after serving his sentence, but that producers should have ensured the facts were correct.

Ms Travers, who did not see tonight's apology as she lives in Australia, told the Herald the show had done irreversible damage to her family.

"The apology's one thing but it's not going to repair the damage that's been done," Ms Travers said.

"I don't think anybody understands apart from my family what this has done to us. We've had 10 years to try and live our lives and they took it away in one night."

She previously said she believed Brider deserved a second chance after serving his sentence, but producers should have ensured the facts were correct.

Ms Travers said she was yet to watch last night's apology.