Chat show host and general funny man Graham Norton has voiced his displeasure with one famous singing competition.
The 52-year old blasted the X Factor saying the series has “lost its credibility”. The BBC star admitted that he has not lost faith in all reality competitions as he still tunes into Strictly Come Dancing.
Strictly is the X Factor’s biggest rival, and has come under fire in recent months after making changes to the judges’ panel as well as the hosts.
Graham revealed he hasn’t been tuning in “for the past few years because it just seems so long now- it’s endless.”
The TV star also commented on the talent which the show brings in, or lack thereof:
“The people aren’t very good, so to all the judges’ comments of, I’d buy your album tomorrow’ you think, ‘You’re never having an album. You wouldn’t throw 50p at them if they were busking in the Tube’.”
Compared to previous years where the X Factor managed to pull in around 9 million viewers, this year the show is facing a decrease in two million. This year the series' opening episode was the lowest-rated since 2006.
Simon Cowell may have to retract his comment from earlier this year when he boasted the show would beat Strictly with this year's ratings:
"This show does feel better, the talent’s great, they’re interesting, so if it’s us versus Peter Andre, I’m going to put my money on us."
The Mirror claims a source for the show has hit back at Graham's comments:
“I’m surprised to hear these comments given that The X Factor is the only TV show which has produced credible artists, including One Direction , Little Mix, Olly Murs and Ella Henderson, as well as the anticipated releases from Ben Haenow and Fleur East from last year’s series."
They also added that once 'catch-up' viewers are taken into account that almost 10 million people have viewed some episodes so fat this year.
Speaking with Radio Times in an interview Graham also admitted that there is one other TV series that he will be tuning in to watch. When asked about his viewing habits regarding his own chat show he responded
“If I’m in I’ll watch it when it’s on, and I’ll definitely watch it along the line. If I haven’t bothered to watch it, why would anybody else?”