Will Young said it was a “good thing” that The X Factor isn’t returning.
The singer, who rose to fame after winning Pop Idol in 2002, performed on BBC Breakfast Thursday (August 11) to promote his new album, Crying on the Bathroom Floor.
Upon hearing the news that The X Factor had no plans to return to the screens, Young said, “I’m very lucky, Pop Idol was actually very naive and was really just a singing contest. It can be difficult when there are external sources manipulating people. We weren’t manipulated. We just showed up and sang. “
He added, “It’s always good to have a little soul searching, and maybe The X Factor needs to do just that. I’m really proud of Pop Idol because I think things were done right. I think it’s probably a good thing [The X Factor isn’t coming back] and if things need to be fixed, then I hope they are. “
His words received praise from viewers on Twitter, with one person writing, “I love Will Young so much. He always speaks so eloquently. “
The X Factor has been the subject of much controversy and criticism since its inception in 2004, with many accusing it of exploiting vulnerable candidates and using the foreplay phase to embarrass people.
An article in the New Statesman earlier this month called The X Factor “a theater of cruelty fueled by socio-economic desperation and insidious exploitation of vulnerable people for commercial ends.”
In the eighth series, candidate Ceri Rees was reportedly persuaded by producers to return to the show. Several celebrities condemned The X Factor for broadcasting their audition and mental health charity Mind publicly condemned the decision.
Ariel Burdett’s 2008 audition is listed on YouTube as “The Worst Ever.” She was found dead by suicide in her apartment in 2019, and a funeral court heard that she had previously been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
The Independent approached ITV for comment.
Young’s album “Crying on the Bathroom Floor” is out now. The singer starts his UK live shows in September.
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