Definitely should be open to singers ... X Factor is, as others have said, looking for a pop star which is probably why "acts" like Rhydian and G4 have not won it.

I find it quite amusing that Simon Cowell is fairly dismissive of people with musical theatre style voices on X Factor, suggesting that genre for them as almost inferior to pop at times, yet on BGT he is blown away by the MT singers.

singing is a talent....so of course they should be allowed to apply!

I thought her attitude was lovely - not at all cocky and loving the moment for what it was instead of puffing up at the praise. One thing that does confuse me with this and other shows like it is the fact that it takes 2 or 3 series for somebody to come forward and apply which goes for the deluded contestants as much as the ones who have something to offer.

I still don't think Susan is a world class talent but do hope that when she undoubtedly progresses in the competition as I am clearly in the minority thinking she wasn't all that special, they don't give her a makeover that takes away her natural charm.

I think that it was a stroke of genius on her part to walk on stage looking a bit frumpish. What amazed everyone was how young and strong her voice is for a 47 year old. She has a very good voice and her choice of song was so unexpected too. Brilliant performance. I think that she will get a bit of coaching from Yvie Burnett before her next appearance, and a little bit of TLC on her dress and hair. I look forward to seeing her again.

To be honest, I find the child singers excrutiating. Not because they don't have talent (some of them do) but the fact that they are children, who shouldn't be put in the position of entering a competition like this. They have plenty of time to grow up and hone their talent if they want to eventually make a career out of performing! It's also worrying that, at a time when their voices are still developing, they're overusing and possibly permenantly damaging them. Faryl Smith is a prime candidate for this, unfortunately!

I actually don't find Faryl Smith particularly special as a performer, if I'm honest. I remember Charlotte Church when she first started out, and Faryl is in the same vein - OK singer whose entire career is founded on the 'gimmick' that she's a child!

i've thought this many times too, but people who win the x factor don't perform at the royal variety show, which is many people's main motivation.
but yeh i do sometimes get bored of the singers because i prefer to see something origional.

Best winner so far Paul potts! = singer

Worst winner- George sampson = dancer

Says it all. Classical singer dont get much of a chance in xfactor.

You may not find her special, but the professionals who know a thing or two about talent do think she is special. Faryl has been professionally trained since she was 7. She has entered many competitions to gain experience. She was a winner of the under 15 solo prize at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod when she was 10. She has said that her singing teacher, vocal coach and management team ensure that the does not overwork her voice. She also says that she keeps her professional and private lives completely separate. When she goes home she returns to her school and her friends and she never discusses her singing and she is treated just the same as she has always been by her friends. Her father says that after a concert she goes home and there she is just Faryl. She is just like any 13 year old girl except she happens to have an extraordinary singing talent. Why some people think that talent spells disaster for her is beyond me. As for waiting until they are older. Where would Aled Jones be or Andrew Johnston if they had waited till their voices broke?
The statement that childhood is a "gimmick" is just too barmy to bother with a lengthy rebuttal. However I do remember another young girl who became a regular performer on radio variety shows and sit coms at the age of twelve and posessed a remarkably agile soprano voice. Now what was her name? Ah yes! It was Julie Andrews. Didn't do her much harm did it?

This topic creeps up every year and although I prefer to see other acts rather than singing on the show, it's nice that anyone with any act can enter the competition. As said, it allows young singers (e.g. Connie) who are too young to enter The X Factor to showcase their talent. The reason why there are a lot of opera singers is because it's not mainstream and radio-friendly music which generally appeals to the viewers of The X Factor.

Aled Jones is another singer whom made his name as a child
Faryl is very talented and I wish her all the very best

Only Pop/R&B singers should be banned from BGT. They can go on X Factor.

singing is a talent so why shouldn't they enter a talent competition?

Of course singers should be allowed to enter. Remember X Factor is all about the whole "look" not just the voice. If they look like the ordinary person next door they get nowhere.

Singers like Susan Boyce are what Britains Got Talent is all about - nobody would have given her a chance anywhere else. She's the female version of Paul Potts.

We all did the same thing - thought oh god she's a waste of time she's going to be awful.

....then she opened her mouth to sing........and we were astounded.

If you ban singers. Result. No Paul Potts, no Faryl Smith, No Andrew Johnston and no Susan Boyle. How many others do you want to deny?

I couldn't agree more.

The likes of Fabia should be banned from entering though. Parading around in your underwear and stripping is not a talent. Fair enough if she actually kept her bits covered up and danced, but she relied on stripping as a talent

I would agree with this if the X-Factor was a straight singing competition, but the X-Factor is about creating a popstar, ofcourse singing talent is needed but its a particular kind of singer that the show is for. I'm in agreement about not allowing pop singers into BGT, because they have X-Factor, but not many of them enter anyway because X-Factor is much more of a star vehicle for that.

The prize for winning the X Factor is a recording contract. The prize for BGT is to perform at the Royal Variety and £100,000. Not everyone wants to/can become a "pop star", and some acts aren't old enough to even enter.

Paul Potts is far more talented than any of the XF winners, but he would not have won it in a million years.