Time’s up for nasty TV judges

It was so refreshing to read West End star Samantha Barks (left) say that the trend for stinging jibes from celebrity judges such as Simon Cowell will now give way to warmth and empathy. In a world where mental health is so important, it’s baffling that nasty judges are still allowed to be on our screens.

Bridget Stewart, Haverfordwest

There is a difference between being truthful and being cruel. It is one thing to tell someone they aren’t good enough and must improve, but a different

thing to snarl some of the nasty terms used on competition shows such as

The X Factor.

Ian Green, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire

It’s gone too far the other way now, with celebrity judges like Davina McCall melting whenever anyone opens their mouth.

B. Barnes,

Uckfield, East Sussex

Nothing is more ridiculous than so-called judges praising awful performances. Simon Cowell used to rightly stop some acts and tell them that the song they had picked was wrong for them.

S. Sullivan, Wiltshire

Samantha Barks was brilliant as a judge in All Star Musicals. She has so much experience and it really shines through. As she said in The Mail on Sunday, being a judge is about making people be their best selves.

Michelle King, Oldham