Pop Idol Winner Will Young Slams The X Factor  1/19/06

British singer Will Young has hit out at UK TV talent contest The X Factor for promoting "fame and money", despite launching his own career on a similar program.

The Evergreen star has become a successful solo star since winning Pop Idol in 2002, but isn't a fan of The X Factor, judged by Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh.

Young says, "The new thing, which wasn't in Pop Idol four years ago, is the emphasis on, 'This show will change your life and you'll be a better person.'

"A lot of people on these shows are really nice but there's the message that fame and money will make them better people - and that's so unhealthy.

"When I did Pop Idol it was about seeing who could sing."