It's been something of an open secret for some time, but now producers of The X Factor have finally admitted that most of the acts that make it through to the judges' houses stage of the show have been scouted by producers.
Producers had previously revealed that two-thirds of the acts who make it through to that stage of the 'competition' have been scouted - i.e. sourced outside of the show at events like open mic nights, and asked to enter - but now the Daily Star reports a source as claiming that every act who has made it that far in this new series has been selected by producers.
"The whole point of X Factor is that it gives anyone the chance to make it," they said. "But this series, it’s like only ones cherry-picked by the show have got to judges’ houses. It will feel to some like the process is fixed in favour of the ones picked out by staff.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the show said: "It’s no secret, like many other TV talent shows, we approach people to make them aware of the auditions. Anyone who applies goes through the exact same process. All auditions are judged on the performance on the day.”
Will that affect your enjoyment of the show - or are you done with The fiX Factor?