X Factor judge Gary Barlow has made the shock admission that he never thought that James Arthur could win the show.

The Take That star also said that he believes that a novelty act such as Rylan Clark will never win the competition.

He said: "I was quite shocked that James Arthur won last time, not because he wasn't the best but because he is the best and was the best.

"I assumed a TV voting audience wouldn't vote for someone like that and they did, it really shows me that the right person will win this competition each time.

"I don't believe a novelty act will ever win this competition because when it comes down to it, I do actually believe in the people that are voting to choose the right person."

Barlow has recently described the current X Factor judging panel of himself, Louis Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne as “perfect”.