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Axe the X Factor

The X Factor – back this autumn in its seventh series – has been a phenomenal success. Created by Simon Cowell, who has become famous for his acerbic put-downs and high-waisted jeans as a judge on the show, the format has now been syndicated to 26 countries around the world, including Armenia, Colombia and Indonesia.

The series generates miniature controversies every week – the rejection of a crowd-pleasing character, bad behaviour by a participant or some apparent disagreement between judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole. But beyond this tabloid fodder, some have more serious concerns about the program – is it fake, patronising and socially harmful, or is it a weekly dose of harmless escapism, a bit of fun which brings the nation together in rooting for a favourite?