Former teen pop star Billie Piper says kids shouldn't be allowed on X Factor

Billie Piper, who was 15 years old when she released her first single, says  she doesn't think 15 year-olds should be allowed to appear on The X Factor. Well, hi there, Pot, this is Kettle calling....

Actually, Billie doesn't think 16-year-olds should be allowed on the show, either. Or 17-year-olds for that matter. No, she thinks the minimum age should be 18, which is a bit rich, really, coming from her. I mean, if only that kind of rule had been in effect when she was a kid, we might have been spared the horror that was "Because We Want To"!

"As a teenager you’re so full of teenage angst anyway. I don’t think it’s good. I don’t think it’s a great idea. I think it’s slightly greedy," says Billie, adding that the kids should wait until their voices mature. You know, like she did.

Actually, as it happens, I agree with her. Not so much about the "maturing voice" bit, because I'm no vocal expert, but because the kids on the show so far? Well, they're been a little bit angsty. A little bit, dare I say it, whiny. Take the little boy last week who tried to sing "Maggie May" like a choirboy, and then burst into tears when he was criticised. He clearly wasn't prepared for the reality  of going through  an audition, and while that's not his fault, it is a fault with the X Factor itself, which has made a decision to allow children to take part in it, and to compete under the same rules and conditions as adults.

But they're not adults, are they?  And I don't know how you feel about this, but I don't have any particular interest in watching a kiddie talent show. I'm not denying there are some talented teens out there, but I doubt I'd rush out and buy their records. Same with the dottery old dears who can barely stand up as they croak their way through some old music hall number and are allowed through to Boot Camp on a pity vote. I'm sure they're sweet old folks, but I'm not going to be buying their records either. Mostly because they're not going to be making any.

So I have to side with Billie on this, and say that The X Factor should be a primarily adult show. If you need further convincing, just remember Ray "old man stuck in a child's body" Quinn from last year, who managed to creep me out on a weekly basis with his performances. Sure, I know he actually was over 18, but you wouldn't have thought it to look at him, now, would you?