X Factor bosses are apparently actively encouraging music bosses to get their artists to enter the next series of the show.

Managing Director of Syco Sonny Takhar wants industry insiders to see the show as more of a strong platform for launching new talent rather than just a lazy option.

"It's important that the business understands this is an absolutely legitimate way into a global recording career," Takhar said.

"At every step of the way, the artist is surrounded by music industry experts and label personnel. The proof really is in the results.

"In the last ten years, the show has launched the careers of some of the biggest starts in the world. Artists from The X Factor UK alone have sold in excess of 57 million albums and enjoyed 130 number ones around the world.

"It's a show that not only feeds the labels but every part of the industry, including live, publishing, sponsorship, merchandising and retail.

"[The X Factor is] an easy and lazy target for the cynical minority in our industry to criticise but the fact is, if you represent talent, you have a significantly better chance of breaking your artist through entering our show than you would by going through a normal label signing process.

"What other platform can give you a social media following of one million engaged fans in a matter of months? It's a no-brainer."