[andyman]

TV talent shows such as The X Factor are guilty of "cheap exploitation" because they do not pay contestants, performers union Equity has claimed.

It is calling for all contestants who reach the final round this year to be paid and have legal status as workers.

The union is to table a motion at the TUC conference next month calling on TV companies to pay talent show hopefuls.

But X Factor producer Talkback Thames has refuted the union's claims, saying Equity rates "do not apply".

[Fom]

How can equity rights not apply?
I agree with when they make it to the final they should get paid, the time and effort the contestants put into the job, not leaving any time for another job. They need protection to make sure they have money to lean back on. These awful producers have no souls.

I am glad equity have caught up with this, TV producers often think they can get away with murder and treat performers like rubbish.

[andyman]

Yep, with the X Factor its like selling your soul to the devil..

Even Big Brother housemates get paid for their time in the house, not much but better than nothing.

[Tom4784]

That stuff about £1 million contract is BS you only get a million if your first few albums sell well, plus you have to pay for the studio and such out of your own prize money. Leon Jackson sure as hell didn't walk away with a million.

It is exploitation, if this was Ancient Rome the X Factor would be the Colliseum. They really need to tighten the laws up so ITV and Simon Cowell can't get away with it.