The X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing –A Weekend of Disaster

Fundamental flaws have been revealed in each of the prime time, BBC and ITV flagship shows, the X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing over the past weekend. In the case of both, contestants with an outstanding ability, and, in at least one case, the talent to have won, have been ousted in favour of candidates with far less talent. This has left enraged X Factor betting and Strictly Come Dancing betting fans of both of the shows contemplating the dubious value of the public vote.

Laura White has what is possibly the finest voice ever heard on the X Factor. She represents a real discovery by the judges and would have given the show a much needed industry credibility and authority had she won. Instead she has been undervalued, first by the public voting process and then, astoundingly, by the judges including Simon Cowell who is supposed to be able to recognise talent when he sees it. I’ve met many bemused and angry viewers this morning who just can’t believe that she is gone.

And then on Sunday the Strictly Come Dancing judges have Heather Small and Rachel Stevens foisted upon them and are expected to eject one while the lesser talent of the wonderful John Sergeant has been allowed to remain by a sentimental public who would rather discard the worthy that offend a ageing political pundit who is only there for the irony of it all. The judges appeared to be annoyed and affronted at this task and must be wondering what can be done to avoid these things happening in the next series.

The trouble with these shows is that they started out as a bit of lightweight evening entertainment and have become, instead, vehicles for the genuine expression of aspiring singers and dancers. This is particularly true of the X Factor which should be nurturing its fragile talents rather than throwing them to the lions of the public vote. It is an outrage that someone like Laura White can be ejected from a show that purports to be a seeker-out of talent but is in danger of being perceived as little more than a vehicle to advance the careers and bank balances of its judges.