[aliacid]

A spokesman for The X Factor, while not admitting the "autotune" charge, conceded that post-production work was necessary because the show used 48 microphones. It was, he said, for the viewers' benefit and such sound techniques employed were "all quite usual". Furthermore, it did not affect the judge's decision.

"The judges make their decisions at the audition stage based on what they hear on the day, live in the arena," he said. "The footage and sound is then edited and dubbed into a finished programme, to deliver the most entertaining experience possible for viewers."

Their not even denying it.