Gary Barlow says 'X Factor' groups are strong, despite little air time

Gary Barlow has insisted that the X Factor Groups category is strong this year, despite a lack of air time for them on the ITV1 show so far.

No group act has been shown getting a 'yes' vote from the judges or given a proper VT spot in the first three episodes of this series.



The lack of boybands, girl groups and duos has surprised fans following the victory of Little Mix last year and the worldwide sales of One Direction.

However, Take That star Barlow has defended the Groups, claiming that this year's entries are so strong that the judges may not need to put together acts themselves with Boot Camp rejects, as they have done in previous years.

"I don't know if we'll have to put our own groups together this year," he told the Daily Mail. "The standards of the ones I've seen so far have been surprisingly high.

"I'm very impressed and wouldn't mind mentoring the groups this year."

The X Factor continues on Saturdays on ITV1.

One group who have reached the Boot Camp stage are duo Mia and the Moon, who were shown on Xtra Factor.

Watch Mia and the Moon's Xtra Factor audition below: