Not that I've got any intention of ever taking appearing on stage but I've always wondered what are the legal ramifications of taking part in Britain's Got Talent or XFactor.

If they think you're talented or wierd enough to take part in the auditions for instance what sort of contractural arrangements do you have to sign up to and is your televised appearance their's to do what they want with?

You have to sign a contract at the producer's auditions, whether or not you make it to the judges auditions or not. That's to say that yeah, it's their's to do what they want with. That's what I've heard.

I guessed that was the case but was wondering what performing rights do you sign away to them.

For under 16s if they make it to the judges auditions (and regardless of if they make it to the lives), they need a performance license which has their rights/when or when not they can appear on TV.

Yeah because there are otherwise limitations on when under 16s can appear on the TV aren't there?

Yes. Since about 2008/9, there have been rules that under 16s can't appear live after 10pm on TV. That's why the kids have 'gone to bed' as Stephen Mulhern states why they don't turn up on his show if they have made it to the final.

Pretty sure it's very one sided in favour of the show.

The very reason I asked the question. I was thinking that if, as a result of appearing on the show, you become an overnight celebrity does Simon Cowell automatically get a slice of the money you make outside of your appearances on the programme.

I would be almost certain of it - at least for a period after transmission. Otherwise, acts would just use his show as free advertising.

Yes, of course. And it also works in reverse as well, i.e. finalists will be in debt and owe money to Simon/Syco. Which is why acts (who can) are linked to the show/ITV if their singing career doesn't go off (e.g. Stacey Solomon doing presenting for ITV, Olly Murs on Xtrafactor)

What nonsense. Are you making it up as you go along? Olly Murs's singing career not gone off?

Are you suggesting that Olly murs is some sort of prisoner of ITV2! he wants to do the show he gets paid to do it. Hes had quite a few number ones hasnt he?

anyway that thing about being in debt to them after the show wasnt true, George Sampson made it up, no-one else has ever claimed it

Olly Murs has had four number one singles in just under three years and his three albums went number 2, 1, 1 respectively - all three platinum.

One of the most successful acts ever to come out of X-Factor and one of the most successful UK recording artists in the 2010's.

I think his singing career took off!

I said IF their singing career doesn't take off, not that his didn't. And number one singles don't mean that you are suddenly rich. Justin Bieber is one of the biggest stars on the planet right now but if his career suddenly dropped for whatever reason he'd be facing a lifetime of debts. Look at TLC, back when they released Waterfalls which was a massive single worldwide, they were bankrupt. Michael Jackson, arguarbly the most famous person on the planet died with millions of debt. What people don't realise is that all these singers and celebrities are often living on "borrowed" money. People like P-Diddy go into other business ventures such as clothing and 50-Cent has shares in bottled water, I believe. But the regular singers, whilst they may appear to have money because their record label or management pay for things.. when they are no longer successful you can be sure that they must pay all that back and more.. So yes, presenting a TV show on the side is a way to pay some of it back.

You did say if and then quoted two examples implying that these careers had not taken off. Olly Murs was a bad example to quote.

Actually the number of people who have made a career from the likes of X-Factor or any of the other reality shows is quite high.

Success in the charts also doesn't necessarily equate with success in the industry. A lot of participants, such as Ray Quinn, have made big and successfuly career in Music Theatre and probably more grateful that the pressures the winners often suffer are not aimed their way.