Brookstein blasts Cowell over Leon

The X Factor's original winner Steve Brookstein has criticised Simon Cowell's treatment of Leon Jackson.

Jackson, who triumphed on the show's fourth series in 2007, was dropped by Cowell's record company this week following disappointing sales of his debut album Right Now.

The Scottish singer is now hoping to be offered a contract with a new label after completing his tour of the UK in the summer.

Writing on his official blog, Brookstein claimed: "If they cared anything about Leon they would have announced his departure after his tour and not before it, they would have kept his fans informed, his website up-to-date, and not put comments from Simon into the press saying: '[He's a] nice guy but not gonna set the world on fire, Rhydian should have won'."

Brookstein, who beat operatic group G4 in the programme's 2004 final, also suggested that Cowell has little respect for X Factor's voters.

He said: "It reminds me of his 'G4 were the real winners!' I'm surprised he allows the public to vote when they've only got it right once in four years. When they spent their money deciding Leona Lewis had more 'X' than the ice skater Ray Quinn. Phew, tough choice."

Brookstein was dropped by Cowell just eight months after his own X Factor victory. He later released a second album independently, and has recently been collaborating with his wife Eileen Hunter, who is expected to release her own debut disc later this year.