The Stage

Older pop idols to fill teen talent gap

Published Friday 30 April 2004 at 09:20 by Joanna Taylor

Creators of ITV1’s new talent show The X Factor have been forced to widen the remit for potential entrants in an attempt to combat a talent deficit in the 16-26 age group, executive producer of the multimillion pound show Richard Holloway has claimed.

The X Factor breaks the mould of Pop Idol, both of which were devised by music mogul Simon Cowell, by extending the upper age limit to include anyone over 16, whether they are in a band, a solo artist or a family group.

Holloway, head of Thames Entertainment, admitted that the recent saturation of TV talent searches has highlighted the lack of potential pop stars in the 16-26 group.

He said: “That is part of the reason why this new search is so wide but it is also because there is a big audience at home who want to see people who are not all youngsters. For a number of years, people in their late twenties, thirties and forties have been excluded from these shows.

“But now it will be people’s last chance saloon. Those who have always wanted a break but never quite made it. Now they can come and show us what they are worth. It would be fantastic if we could find the next Partridge Family.”

He added that ITV1 is still committed to Pop Idol and the programme will be returning for a third series in 2005 after a year and a half gap, which would give the talent pool a chance to fill up.

At the end of the extensive auditions for The X Factor, 120 hopefuls will be divided into three different types of act and each category will be overseen by a music industry professional acting as judge, one of whom will be Cowell. The judges will battle against each other using three acts they have selected from those assigned to them in the hope that one of their performers is chosen in a live final.

Cowell said: “Backing my own judgement is something I have always done, so I am happy to put myself in the firing line. This show provides a really exciting challenge for the contestants and the judges alike. I am really looking forward to it. It’s different from everything that has gone before. Now the judges become the contestants.”

To take part in The X Factor call: 0900 2000 456. Applicants must be over 16.