Tunstall 'Hates' Cowell's Talent Shows

The music mogul has created a TV phenomenon with his string of talent hunts on both sides of the Atlantic, with American Idol, The X Factor and America's Got Talent all producing several recording artists every year.

But although Tunstall admits the shows make great TV, she is adamant they are having a negative impact on new artists.

She tells Britain's Daily Mail, "I hate what Simon Cowell has done to the music industry because he’s clogged it up with all these people and it’s stopping real artists getting deals.

"The X Factor isn’t about music, it’s about entertainment, and in that regard it’s remarkable, because it brings families together in front of the television. Personally, I’d rather have stayed on the dole (welfare) than audition for a show like that, but I would perform on it because I want millions of people to hear my music. It’s something I have thought long and hard about."