Pete Waterman has dismissed The X Factor as a “spectacle” that is more about hitting making good TV than finding true talent.
The music mogul – who was himself a judge on the TV singing competitions Pop Idol and Popstars: The Rivals – said that he never watches the show on principle, because it isn’t really about musical talent any more.
Waterman also claimed that he walked off the second series of Pop Idol for the same reason. Writing a column in the Independent, Waterman said: “I don't watch it because I was on the original Pop Idol show and I walked off the second series on principle. The first Pop Idol was about music, but the shows have got worse.
“It is not about talent, it's about television and spectacle. I'd rather make a programme about railways. It's ironic that what we – myself and Peter Kay – predicted in the programme Britain's Got the Pop Factor is exactly what has happened on The X Factor.”
Waterman added: “What Simon's got is the greatest television show in the world – but that's not talent. Simon Cowell started musically, but now The X Factor has become simply about television.
Pete’s comments come in the middle of the controversy surrounding Irish twin contestants John and Edward, who are thought to be pulling in viewers because of their outrageous performances – despite not having as much singing talent as the other contestants.
The legendary music manager also claimed that the programme’s agenda is more about the judges than the contestants - and used the fact that Cheryl Cole’s single sold better than last year’s X Factor winner, Alexandra Burke’s did, as a prime example.
He continued: “It's great television, but it isn't selling records. Many people pay the 30p to vote for it, but when the single is available as a download 20 minutes after the show, they are not buying it.
“That Cheryl Cole has sold more downloads as the judge than the winner of The X Factor proves that it's a bigger promotion for the judges than it is the contestants on the show. This is a singles show which should be driving singles sales, and I don't see that in any shape or form.
Simon Cowell has previously credited Waterman with helping make him as successful as he his today, and has been quoted as saying: "I learned so much from people like Pete Waterman - real tough love.
"He would tell me I didn't know what I was talking about, that I was bloody useless - and to come back when I had a hit."
What do you think? Do you still class X Factor as a singing competition, or do you think it’s more about overall entertainment?
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