X Factor or a quick X-it?

MUSIC:

Ok you get it. Yep, as sure as night follows day the X Factor is back!

Whether you love it or loathe it there’s just no getting away from it, from now until Christmas expect a sheer onslaught of reality-TV mania.

I’ve got to admit that while I’m not a massive fan of the acts it churns out, I love this show and treasure every minute.

What’s more, everyone I know is of a similar mindset. Those that say they don’t are simply in denial.

It showcases the good, the bad and the ugly.

Insane folk gyrating and genuinely believing they’re God’s gift, quirky vocalists who will knock your socks off and a Brazilian novelty act living in a caravan in Dudley, called Wagner. You couldn’t make it up.

But it’s existence in Britain’s psyche for the past seven years is somewhat of an anomaly, for while the nation gets swept away in the excitement of each series, such interest never seems to transfer to the so-called stars it launches.

The auditions are addictive and the live finals are compulsive viewing with genuine talent on show each week.

Many of today’s pop stars would struggle to belt out a tune as well as some of the finalists.

However, as soon as the initial fizz of the live show pomp runs out the stars pale into insignificance.

Even the ones that graduate to reasonable success don’t shine as bright as they could.

JLS got lucky trading on sex appeal, Shayne Ward tried then tried again but failed and Cher Lloyd, well, God knows what she’s trading on.

Even Leona Lewis, the widely-accepted queen of the show, has faltered on recent releases.

The reasons seem to be two-fold.

Argument A, their rapid rise to fame is seen as some sort of cheat on the rest of the music industry who have slogged hard for years to make it a success.

Argument B, the material they are given is severely substandard.

The answer is probably somewhere in between for while these individuals have enough sparkle to shine, when it comes to the crunch they haven’t got the musical capacity to become a true artist.

Managed, bossed about and constricted, it’s hard to believe such shackles are released as soon as the show ends.

Revel in the show for what it is, a top-notch talent contest, not a sure-fire pop hit factory.