Kasabian: 'X Factor is a pile of s***'

Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan has slammed ITV1 reality series The X Factor.

The 'Where Did All The Love Go?' rocker said that he feels sorry for the way contestants like John & Edward are treated by the show and is angry at the adverse impact the programme has on the music-buying public.

"The X Factor is like something The Riddler would do in Batman. It sucks out everyone's brains," he told the Daily Record. "I can't believe how appallingly low we have gone as a nation for people to watch that pile of s**t. It's appalling music. It's shocking."

Meighan continued: "Simon Cowell must be laughing. For him, Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue, who has had very few pop hits in her life, to sit there and judge people, it's incredible. Kids are watching that and want to be on it. Where is the push for new music for kids? It is an appalling programme."

The singer added that those who go on to achieve fame after appearing on the competition just continue to be manipulated, saying: "The twins, John & Edward, are poor kids who don't know what is going on. They have lost their heads. These kids have no idea.

"Look at Susan Boyle. It is appalling what they have done to her. She doesn't know, does she, bless her. Poor thing. They are making her into this massive star and it is ridiculous. It will torture her for the rest of life. She is not ready for it and she is not made for it. She is being manipulated. It's horrible."