Louis Walsh slams 'Rock Rivals'

X Factor judge Louis Walsh has criticised ITV's new drama series Rock Rivals for failing to capture the drama of real-life reality shows.

The show, which stars Michelle Collins and Sean Gallagher, is based around the back stage happenings on a TV singing contest.

However, Walsh believes the programme's researchers should have had more input from those in the business if they wanted it to be realistic and a success.

Walsh told The Mirror: "There's far more drama on The X Factor in any week than there's likely to be in this whole series. I was so excited when I sat down to watch it. I expected it to be great.

"I had spent a whole day on set doing a cameo and they cut me. I was annoyed, but now I've seen it I'm glad that I ended up on the cutting room floor. It could have been so funny and real but it isn't.

"With the real thing you have more action, more drama and a lot more talent.

"They didn't capture the tension and the drama on the show between the judges and the contestants - especially the judges."

He added: "The research on this show was so poor. They should have called us."

> Click here for our interview with the cast of the show