Steve Brookstein who won the first ever series of the X Factor has condemned judge Gary Barlow as a hypocrite.

He claims that Barlow has been inconsistent in his comments over who is responsible for contestant’s careers once they leave the show.

Brookstein tweeted yesterday to say: "One minute Gary Barlow tells Cowell not to mess up Leona Lewis' career, the next he says it's an artist's own fault if they don't succeed.

"Gary Barlow reminds me of a 1950s film star doing cigarette adverts for money. "Mmm They taste delicious and they're good for you!"

Before the official launch of the show, Barlow commented that the success of each contestant’s career is down to them saying: "After the competition is over they go off to Sony and we have no control over that. And the point is neither do Sony actually.

"How the acts go and where they choose to make a career is up to them. I know the show is based around us mentoring and helping, but it is heavily down to the acts when it comes to choosing their own destiny. We see some people get better and better, but we see other people get worse and worse - they make bad choices."

Brookstein later joked: “I've also decided to come off twitter until X factor is cancelled. I may be gone quite a long time.”