Cowell: 'Singing is most important'

Simon Cowell has said that singing is the most important thing on The X Factor.

However, the show judge also said that it was vital for the reality talent show to entertain people and for viewers not to take music too seriously.

Cowell told the X Factor final press conference: "The minute you start taking the charts too seriously, you're going to end up where we ended up when Top Of The Pops came off the air - because it was boring. Nobody wanted to watch it.

"So, on our show obviously singing is the primary concern, but at the same time you've got to still entertain."

He added: "There are certain shows on air at the moment at 12 o'clock at night on the BBC that I'd rather watch paint dry [than watch] because they're so indulgent and boring.

"That's why I like this show, because it's been fun, it's been unpredictable. These guys, and particularly my artist [Olly Murs], are fantastic entertainers.

"He's not just going to stand there and sing, he's going to put on a show. So I like to think it's both, but with singing being the most important thing."

> Click here to watch the X Factor final press conference