Take That star and new X Factor judge, Gary Barlow has hinted that the boys category is the strongest on this year's show.
In a recent interview he claimed that there were "lots of strong contenders" from the young male acts in this year's auditions.
He also suggested that this year's new batch of judges - Kelly Rowland, Tulisa and himself, were the best people for the job.
"I suppose in terms of who they could have picked to be new judges alongside Louis Walsh, there's no-one more valid than me, Kelly and Tulisa because we're out there doing it right now," he said.
"We're selling tickets, selling records, and we're out there doing what these guys want to be doing."
The talented song-writer also played down rumours that he had taken over the role of Mr Nasty on the panel following Cowell's departure.
"I don't think it's about dashing people's hopes, it's about being real with them, but if I've disliked a performance, I've told them that I didn't really enjoy it very much," he said. "We have to be real with them."
