Brookstein slams "bear baiting" 'X Factor'

X Factor winner Steve Brookstein has likened the ITV reality show to "bear baiting".

Speaking to the BBC's Radio 5 Live, the 2004 victor said The X Factor has become humiliating for its participants.

"It is sad that there are going to be people who are going to be publicly humiliated," the 39-year-old said. "It is a form of bear-baiting. I've been banging the drum about what it's about - people shouldn't call in and they shouldn't waste their money."

The soul singer won the first series of the show after being mentored by Simon Cowell. His first album Heart And Soul reached number one in the album charts.

Brookstein was subsequently dropped from his label Sony BMG and his second record, 40,000 Things with Numunu Records, sold just 7,000 copies.