James Blunt has said he didn’t enjoy working on The X Factor (Picture: Alberto Pezzali/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
James Blunt has become known for being brutally honest and now he’s admitted he didn’t enjoy his time working as a judge on The X Factor.
The singer, 49, spent one season on the Australian version of the talent show in 2015, sitting on the judging panel alongside Guy Sebastian, 41, Dannii Minogue, 51, Chris Isaak, 67.
However, he’s now said being part of the series was ‘quite painful’ as he felt like he was ruining people’s dreams for ‘ratings’.
‘I didn’t enjoy it, and I struggle with The X Factor, because it’s more TV show than music competition,’ he said.
‘The winners are always the judges’ choices rather than the ones who do best each week.
‘Seeing these hopefuls with their 15 minutes, and their dreams shattered for ratings, I find quite painful,’ he added when speaking to the Radio Times.
He spent one season as a judge on the Australian version of the reality series (Picture: Eduardo Parra/Getty Images)
During his time on the show, James had some tense on-air exchanges with his fellow judges, with Guy later saying the You’re Beautiful singer was ‘really trying to pick a fight with everyone’.
Dannii also once said there were ‘fireworks’ on set as the judges ‘tried to get used to each other’ and their decisions.
In one notable exchange, James told the Australian singer: ‘I know you don’t take criticism well… that’s what we all think.’
Speaking on Nova’s Radio X Factor show after the incident, Dannii admitted she was ‘offended’ by his comments.
James had some fiery clashes with his fellow judges, including Dannii Minogue (Picture: BBC/Two Four)
‘I guess we are all new to each other and each week we want our artists to stay there more and more so it is going to get tough and there could be a cat fight,’ she said.
While James did only appear on the show for one season, in the finale he thanked his colleagues.
‘Thank you Australia for having me. Thank you to you in the audience, thank you to you on the panel,’ he said.
‘It’s really hard, it’s easy to come in and think you’ll know the right thing to do.
‘But I learnt a lot from Guy and Dannii and their help and guidance across the series.
‘I think both Chris and I learnt a lot from seeing them in action.’
In a recent interview, James revealed the advice his father, Colonel Charles Blount, passed onto him.
Speaking to The Guardian, the singer shared he was told ‘life is not a dress rehearsal’ and so he decided to pursue his dream of music to avoid ‘growing old with regret’.
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‘I didn’t enjoy it.’