JLS Blast 'X Factor'

2 months ago 23rd Sep 13:00

'X Factor' runners up JLS have blasted the show's latest series.

The 'Beat Again' singers - who lost out to Alexandra Burke in last year's final - believe the decision to hold first auditions in front of an audience has been a big mistake and makes it too similar to other shows.

Singer Oritse Williams said: "I did catch 10 minutes of it. It's too much like 'Britain's Got Talent' now."

His bandmate Aston Merrygold added: "I watched it and expected to get a weird feeling because we were there a year ago - but I didn't. It's a completely different show now. I don't like the new format - it's taken the build up away."

"It just seems like they're already in the live finals. You don't get to see people's personalities properly - they're more confident and playful. It takes away the intimacy."

The group insist the new audition process has prevented viewers from getting to know the contestants properly before the later stages of the competition.

Marvin Humes explained to GT magazine: "Some of the contestants have been wicked.

"It just seems like they're already in the live finals. You don't get to see people's personalities properly - they're more confident and playful. It takes away the intimacy."

Meanwhile, Oritse has been comforting Keisha Buchanan after she broke down in tears following her departure from Sugababes.

The singers - along with former Destiny's Child star Michelle Williams - met up at a London Fashion Week party on Monday (210.09.09) shortly after news the 'Overload' star was being replaced in the band by Jade Ewen broke, amid allegations of bullying within the band.

A source told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Michelle was the first to share words of encouragement.

"But it all got too much for Keisha, who started to cry in the middle of the party and Oritse from JLS had to comfort her. It was heartbreaking. She felt devastated about what happened and thinks everyone thinks she's a b***h when she did everything she could to make it work between her and Heidi and Amelle."