X Factor’s cruel and ghastly, says Tony Blackburn
TONY Blackburn has lambasted the X Factor as ‘ghastly and cruel’ and condemned its ‘gladiatorial style’.
The veteran DJ made the comments after seeing the ITV talent show at the weekend and said that he would never be able to watch it again.
Blackburn, 72, took exception to the ‘ six chair challenge’, during which the four judges whittle down their teams from 14 to six while the contestants stand on stage in front of a baying audience.
This section of the competition often leaves the singers in tears but viewers felt that programme boss Simon Cowell was particularly scathing during Sunday’s episode.
He told 27-year-old contestant Max Stone: ‘Max, you look, if you don’t mind me saying so, like you’re half dead.
‘I’ve never really got anything from your personality. Tell me something fun you’ve done in your life. I’m trying to make you fun but I’m failing.’ Cowell then added: ‘I just don’t think people are going to like you very much.’ And he told Stephanie McCourt, also 27: ‘People don’t like you at the moment and I think it’s just the way that you are is not very friendly, not very warm.’
Another contestant, Vicki Ann Nash, was in tears after being eliminated from the show, then saved – then eliminated again.
Blackburn said the show’s ‘negative’ tone compares poorly with Strictly Come Dancing’s happier style.
Writing on Twitter, he said: ‘What a ghastly cruel show the X Factor has turned into. I really don’t think this is the way to treat people. I haven’t watched it for ages and didn’t realise how dreadful and cruel it had become, horrible TV which I certainly won’t watch again.’
He later added: ‘I hadn’t seen it for ages and when I watched a bit of it I was appalled by its gladiatorial style. I hate shows that are hurtful and when you are dealing with young people you have to be careful not to go too far, and I think this show does.
‘People will say they know what they are getting into, but to treat people in a cruel way like this to me is not right for TV. If someone goes on the show and is not good there are ways of letting them go, but not by letting a hostile audience scream at them.
‘I feel very strongly that TV is a powerful medium and to encourage people to be cruel in this way to me is horrible. The difference between Strictly and the X Factor is that the X Factor is so negative, whereas Strictly is positive with expert judges.’
Blackburn retweeted a number of messages sent to him supporting his stance. One person wrote: ‘I stopped watching years ago. An underlying viciousness runs through its core.’ Another said: ‘Audience reminds me of crowds baying for blood at the [Roman] colosseum.’
An X Factor spokesman said: ‘The six chair challenge has been part of the X Factor since 2013. All contestants are therefore aware prior to application that this is a key part of the audition process and are fully briefed on the format before they go on stage.
‘ Support i s provided to contestants throughout the competition and a psychologist is always available and in attendance at all of the auditions.’
Sunday’s episode was watched by 7.4million. In previous years it could command around 10million for anticipated episodes.