Walsh: 'Auto-tune is just like make-up'

X Factor judge Louis Walsh has defended the show's use of Auto-tune in some contestants' auditions.

The programme was criticised by fans last week after it was revealed that a number of performers had had their vocals enhanced during post-production. Walsh has now claimed that the effect is common in the music industry and compared it to wearing make-up.

According to the Daily Mail, he said: "Every pop star in the world uses Auto-tuning. If you're a superstar you don't care. I wish I'd done it last year [during the live shows] with Jedward, it might have helped, I might have won the show. There is nothing wrong with it.

"I think people are making a big deal of it. Other channels are jealous of The X Factor, everyone is, it's the biggest show.

"It's the same as wearing good make-up and having a good make-up artist. Every successful artist in the world uses it."