Singer says youngsters exploited on X Factor

Lisa Stansfield has said young performers on talent shows such as The X Factor get “exploited”, and the programmes are “all about the judges”.

The singer first rose to fame on talent show Search For A Star in Manchester in 1980, and said she considered it a good way to get a start in the industry.

Co-hosting the breakfast show on digital radio station Gaydio, she said: “I just think for me to do a talent show it was a way for me to get a foot in the door.

“I was just fortunate that one of the judges was a TV producer so I immediately went onto Granada TV.

“But I think now with X Factor I just don’t really like it 0 Lisa Stansfield said that X Factor is all about the judges because I think the kids get completely exploited.

“Well, it’s all about the judges. They’ve all got their own products that they sell and they’re making a bloody fortune and these kids are just their vehicles to show off.

“I know it sounds horrible, but I just feel really sorry for the kids that do it.”