Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cowell "torture"

10 months ago 09th Jan 13:00

Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber has accused Simon Cowell of "torture".

The music legend blasted 'The X Factor' judge for his treatment of contestants, insisting he has a much better relationship with acts competing on his talent show 'Your Country Needs You'.

We have a live band and we have performers who will deliver live to the best of their ability

Andrew - whose programme will find a UK representative for the Eurovision Song Contest - said: "We nurture, we don't torture. I am here to support and get the best out of everyone. We look at how they can all take their career beyond the show.

"Simon just doesn't work with artists the way I do. I spend a lot of time with the artists working on what they need. They know they can call me up day or night - and they do. All my acts call me Andrew."

'Your Country Needs You' features six acts - the Gleadall twins, Damien Flood, Charlotte Finlay-Tribe, Emperors Of Soul, Mark Evans and Jade Ewen - who will compete against each other in a weekly live show, with the public deciding who should go through to the next round.

In another swipe at 'The X Factor', Andrew promised he will not use "tricks" to help artists make it through each stage of the show.

He added: "There will be no tricks on this show. We have a live band and we have performers who will deliver live to the best of their ability. We don't have off-stage backing singers who come in and maybe trace harmonies."