Webber: 'Cowell tortures his contestants'

Andrew Lloyd Webber has accused Simon Cowell of "torturing" contestants on The X Factor.

The composer blasted Cowell for "tricking" contestants on the ITV1 reality show, rather than developing them as artists.

"He doesn’t work with the artists like I do. I’m here to get the best out of everybody," he told The Sun.

"All my acts call me Andrew, and they all call my mobile when they need help. There will be no tricks on this show. Over my dead body."

Speaking about his new talent show Your Country Needs You, which aims to find a star to win the Eurovision Song Contest, Webber added: "The mantra of the show is that we nurture, we don’t torture."

"We have a live band and we have performers who will deliver live to the best of their ability. We don’t have off-stage backing singers who come in and maybe trace harmonies."

This Saturday's show will see the public given the chance to vote for their favourite of the six acts. They include Essex singer Charlotte; Londoner Damien; five-piece Emperors of Soul; twin sisters Francine and Nicole, from Sheffield; soul-singer Jade; and panto actor Welshman Mark.