Cowell: 'Idol' mentors outshine hopefuls

American Idol judge Simon Cowell has admitted that the show's mentors sometimes overshadow its contestants.

The last series of the talent search - which returns for a seventh run next week - featured appearances from major stars such as Diana Ross and Jennifer Lopez.

Cowell conceded that the 90-minute show did not leave enough time to focus on the hopefuls, saying: "I mean, once you’ve done the judge’s comments and the singing, the amount of time given to the film before the contestant sings when you have a mentor [makes it] very difficult for the audience to get to know much about the person."

He continued: "If you had asked me, for instance, what do you know about the girl who won last year? Other than the fact she’s a good singer, I couldn’t really tell you myself, and I was a judge on the show. I think that was also the same with the people who watched the show at home.

"We didn’t let the audience at home know enough about where they live, what their likes or dislikes were because everything was about their chat with Diana Ross or J. Lo or whoever it was. I think this year there will be more focus on the contestants and less focus on the person who is mentoring them that particular week. It’s a balance, and I think it’s the right decision."

American Idol airs on Thursday and Friday nights on ITV2 from January 17.