Brookstein criticises 'dangerous' BGT

Steve Brookstein has criticised Britain's Got Talent and claimed that scenes on the programme are rehearsed and pre-planned to make money through telephone voting.

The former X Factor winner told the Daily Mail that he is not a fan of the reality talent show.

Brookstein said: "Watching Britain's Got Talent this year, my heart was in my mouth. I found it dangerous, cynical and nasty. What's the aim of the programme? To get the public voting on the phone.

"That's where money is made for both ITV and Syco. The aim is to make the public rush to the phones and vote for their favourite. It's all rehearsed and thought out beforehand to make the maximum amount of money."

He added: "Trust me, with Britain's Got Talent and The X Factor, there is only one winner: Simon Cowell."

Brookstein has criticised Cowell on a number of occasions since he won The X Factor in 2004 and has previously likened the show to bear-baiting.