Lily Allen stated this and I agree with her. X Factor has always been a nasty show which exploited peoples dreams to make it big. Lily Allen syays its turned into a version of The Hunger Games and a blood sport.

I only hope that none of these poor contestants dont do something stupid as a result of this demeaning and awful treatment by X Factor in the cause of enterainment.

I can't stand Lily Allen. She wries song like Pam Ayres or Spike Milligan and she can't sing for toffee. She got her breaks because of her dad, not any talent.

And if she's really upset by psychological manipulation there are far more worthy targets than x-factor.

Yeah but as cliched as this is, it's also succeeded in turning many people's dream into reality.

Most contestants do better with exposure than they would have done otherwise.

I think it's a gross exaggeration of something so small...and what if the poor contestants do something stupid? Please, it's because they do stupid stuff that they land up in the headlines.

The contestants are happy to do anything to be famous and rich by doing as little as possible. Its worth the humiliation and they dont have to graft to get themselves known...so tough sh@t.

Agreed. They'd stand on their heads in buckets of dung if they thought it would get them an advantage.

I don't rate her as a singer/song-writer either and she has come out with some ridiculous statements in her time BUT I agree with her on this one.

Giving someone a place and then snatching it away is cruel and unnecessary and leaves a nasty taste in the mouth, especially when it is likely that the judges have their minds made up who will go through in advance of this charade taking place.

You're in my top 6.

No you're not.

Music is the hardest industry to stay on top. Actors can at least produce or direct or take smaller parts. But singers have a hard time stepping down and get made fun of if they start using smaller venues or producing awful music. It's pretty cut throat. Best learn that now or consider a new career

The showbiz industry in general is tough and cut-throat.

Being a good or great singer has many advantages nowadays than just being an actor and U can get more job opportunities.

If you're a semi-skilled/unmarketable actor then you're likely to be Directing/Producing small-time theatre productions....or even teaching.

I know this from experience

All the contestants know the deal with X factor - it's a chance for them to have free exposure on prime time tv but everything plays second fiddle to the entertainment value of the show. We all know that controversy, twists and tears make good tv and the contestants know that before they start. Anyone who considers themselves too delicate to cope shouldn't audition.

Plenty have benefitted from the show though, and not just winners so its a fair deal. I'd hate every minute of it but then I just don't audition so that's fine. I can't stand the ones who audition and then complain of being used or manipulated - they know what they are signing up for.

I think it's also fair to say that the music industry is tough generally so maybe the show isn't such a bad intro to the dirty world of dashed dreams and broken promises.