Actor Philip Glenister, who is best known for playing tough cop Gene Hunt in 'Ashes to Ashes', has claimed reality shows like 'The X Factor' and 'Britain’s Got Talent' are cruel and bullying.
Speaking in an interview with the Radio Times the actor said it was "getting harder to find programmes to watch."
He commented: "I notice especially for my generation, with children, who don't go out a lot any more and want to watch a good drama and be taken on a journey. One problem is money. We have so many reality and chat shows because they're cheap."
He continued "What I loathe about 'The X Factor' and 'Britain's Got Talent' is this idea they're going to make someone a star. It's just the Simon Cowell show. He runs the gig."
Speaking about the audition process he said it is "cruel, watching self-delusional people in front of three supposed experts who are smirking. It's bullying disguised as entertainment ... Once they get to the talent in the studio it's OK."
The final series of 'Ashes to Ashes' is due to return to BBC One shortly.
