Cowell tired of 'X Factor' sob stories

Simon Cowell has admitted that he is tired of contestants using "sob stories" to their advantage on The X Factor.

The show's chief claimed that the programme is being refocused this year to concentrate on talent alone following criticism of the 2007 series.

"We are attempting to move away from focusing too much on the sob stories," Cowell told the Sunday Mirror. "This year, it's all about trying to go back to raw talent.

"The stories got out of hand and people were starting not to believe them. It had got to the stage that people were trying harder to gain sympathy than to get praise for their singing."

Cowell added that he is keen to see how the public reacts to wannabe singer Rachel Hylton, who shared the story of her troubled past in the first audition show.

"I'm curious to see what happens when she comes to the public vote. It's like a test of forgiveness," he said. "Are people willing to forgive someone who has made mistakes? She's truly a stunning singer."

Irish judge Louis Walsh named the introduction of "sob stories" as the show's biggest mistake at the end of the last series. He said: "This is supposed to be a talent show, not Jeremy Kyle."