[James]

I remember watching the Popstars: The Rivals live shows and thinking at the time that none of the girls that got in the group were particulary good singers. Javine was better than any of them, and three of One True Voice were actually quite talented.

The contestants in that show only had to get in the final ten to get through to a recording deal. Someone like Cheryl Tweedy woudn't have got far on another show.

I thought in The X Factor that vocally Andy is the equal, at least, of Shayne. We have to be realistic though about how much support a record company will give someone who is launching his musical career in his 40s and has made his name singing songs from the 1950s. A record company will think there is a market for a record of covers and no more. A Robson and Jerome type thing (which did sell a lot).

I pretty much enjoyed The X Factor but I fealt getting disillusioned with it towards the end. That was partly, I think, to do with the circumstances surrounding Maria getting voted off, and partly because that thing Louis Walsh did where he resigned and then 'changed his mind'.

Shayne winning makes me feel not bothered in a way also because, I believe, it's the first time the judges' favourite has won one of these singing talent shows. The public usually makes a point of voting of voting for someone that goes against the grain in someway.