All the contestants must have jobs/bills to pay. How do they pay the mortgage when they're away so long, most of them must have given up their jobs by now.

Well a lot of them are under 25 so probably dont have a mortgage

Do they get some kind of retainer/fee for being on there? I'm fairly sure they do, though I don't think it is a massive amount.

Many of them still live with their parents. A couple of them must still be at school so i assume they have a tutor with them. As for the job thing i have no idea, they either have very understanding bosses or they've quit their jobs.

Good thread question.

Perhaps things are broadly the same as they are in X Factor, where the finalists are paid a nominal wage (of around £100 a week) and provided with free food, transport and accommodation.

Some X Factor contestants have been allowed time out from understanding employers, or they work on a freelance/self-employed basis - which I think Danyl Johnson does as a music teacher at 3 schools. In exceptional cases, like Maria Lawson, they have a husband with an £8 million property portfolio or can otherwise afford to 'invest' in this opportunity.

Others, perhaps most, are amateur singers/musicians anyway, so for them appearing on TV and being paid for it is much the same income as a residency at a pub or club. It seems Idol's Crystal has been a busker before. The nominal wage and board/lodgings keeps them from having to scrape by, or claim benefits/welfare.

I've seen Dave answer this question, but I can't find it, it was ages ago. From what I remember it is a pretty similar set up to the XF, a nominial amount, plus a clothing budget that increases the further you get.

What I don't get is how their families can afford to attend the live shows every week? Especially if they are coming from the other side of the country. I know Casey's mum does fundraisers at the school she works for in order to afford it, but what about the rest? Considering the shows are on Tuesday and Wednesday, are their employers that accommodating with them missing work? At least with XF, the shows are at the weekend. Does everyone come from rich families?

The top rated show on American telly should be paying it's performers a bloody salary!

Cheapskates!