Xmas no.1 contender criticises 'X Factor'

A singer who is competing against X Factor winner Leon Jackson for the Christmas number one spot has claimed that the show's contestants end up being exploited.

Malcolm Middleton's chart aim is being supported by Radio 1 DJ Colin Murray, who is encouraging his listeners to buy the musician's track 'We're All Going To Die'.

Middleton, a former member of the band Arab Strap, has claimed that talent show winners usually end up with nothing after record labels decide that they are past their sell-by date.

"X Factor is good TV. People take it too seriously but shows like that do have a place," Malcolm told the Daily Record. "I'm a huge fan of Girls Aloud who have a good team of writers behind them and I enjoy their music.

"What I don't like about X Factor is that the music industry people behind it make all the money out of the little guys who end up getting thrown on a hard place.

"I feel quite sorry for the winner because of the pressure of something that is all about fame and money and celebrity, rather than singing a good song or being honest about your music."

Malcolm admitted that there is little chance of his track beating Leon's debut single, 'When You Believe'.

He said: "It is never going to happen that I will be Christmas No.1, but the fact that people are getting behind it is amazing."