Singer Sting has described 'The X Factor' as "a soap opera which has nothing to do with music".
In an interview with the London Evening Standard, Sting said: "I am sorry but none of those kids are going to go anywhere, and I say that sadly.
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"They are humiliated when they get sent off. How appalling for a young person to feel that rejection. It is a soap opera which has nothing to do with music. In fact, it has put music back decades. Television is very cynical."
The singer said that he had watched the show with an open mind but felt he was watching "televised karaoke where they [the contestants] conform to stereotypes".
"They are either Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston or Boyzone and are not encouraged to create any real unique signature or fingerprint," he said.
"That cannot come from TV. 'The X Factor' is a preposterous show and you have judges who have no recognisable talent apart from self-promotion, advising them what to wear and how to look. It is appalling."
Sting said that "the real shop floor for musical talent" was pubs and clubs but they were being closed down "on a daily basis".
"The music industry has been hugely important to England, bringing in millions. If anyone thinks 'The X Factor' is going to do that, they are wrong," he added.
