‘The X Factor’ responds to claims that most final stage acts are ‘scouted’

The team behind the ‘The X Factor‘ have responded to claims that the majority of acts that make it through to the final stages of the show were ‘cherry-picked’ by producers.

Earlier this week, it was claimed that TV producers admitted that two thirds of those who reach the final stages were scouted, with another source told the Daily Star that every successful act had been originally approached by them.

It was alleged that the show’s scouts spend months travelling the country going to open mic events, as well as scouring YouTube for potential stars, before asking them to audition. According to the paper’s source, only a handful of those who apply off their own back actually make it through, which calls into question the entire premise of the show.

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“The whole point of X Factor is that it gives anyone the chance to make it. But this series, it’s like only ones cherry-picked by the show have got to judges’ houses,” the source revealed. “It will feel to some like the process is fixed in favour of the ones picked out by staff.”

However, a spokesman for The X Factor then told NME: “It’s no secret, like many other TV talent shows, we approach people to make them aware of the auditions.

“Anyone who applies goes through the exact same process and no one is ever guaranteed that they will go through to the next stage. All auditions are judged on the performance on the day.”

Last week it was revealed that Stormzy would be helping out Nicole Scherzinger in South Africa during the Judges’ Houses. 

The Judges’ Houses is the part of the show where contestants are whittled down and flown out to various locations around the world to compete for their place in the show’s live finals.

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Judges usually enlist the help of a famous friend to help them decide.

This year’s judges are Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh.

The Judges’ Houses segment will be airing next month.

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