Noel Gallagher: X Factor Is Great But 16 Is Too Young, Particularly For Girls
By
Stop Crying Your Heart Out
on
October 12, 2011
Noel Gallagher has described the X Factor as 'great' but criticised the show for allowing under 18s to compete, saying girls are particularly vulnerable to the pressures of fame.
The former Oasis star co-hosted the Absolute Radio Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show this morning, discussing various topics at length including his thoughts on the X Factor.
Noel has previously revealed that Simon Cowell had asked him to take up a role on the judging panel, but despite infuriating daughter Anais by turning down the offer Noel says he likes watching the show and think it's 'great'.
Saying people in the music business 'tend to take it way too seriously', Noel described the show as 'great television' but criticised last weekend's controversial big twist which saw Amelia Lily, Jonjo Kerr, James Michael and 2 Shoes sent home.
'I think that bit last week was a bit unnecessary because they must have known that they were going to have to vote somebody off,' Noel said.
'I found that quite… when you see the kids crying on there that’s quite difficult and all that.'
16-year-old Amelia Lily had burst into tears after being sent home by mentor Kelly Rowland, renewing the debate as to whether under 18s should be allowed to take part in the competition.
Discussing Amelia's exit, Noel said: 'When they say things like "Oh, you're great but you're too young", well don't put her through in the first place then, do you know what I mean?
'They shouldn't put a 16 year old on that show.'
The age limit for the show had already been called in to question during the judges' houses round, when 16-year-old Luke Lucas crumbled under the pressure of performing in front of Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams.
Gary later said '16 is just too young' to take part in the competition, although fellow judge Tulisa Contostavlos defended the age limit.
When asked by co-host Christian O'Connell if he felt the age limit should be raised, Noel said: 'Well I think it should be at least 18, because what would happen, conceivably, if the public voted a 16 year old into pop stardom? I mean, you know…'
'I'd feel offended, it took me till 27 to land this famous, you know what I mean, it's bang out of order.
'It's difficult enough to deal with… Particularly for a girl, do you know what I mean? I can't imagine being 16.'
Describing girls as 'more vulnerable' to the pressures of fame, Noel offered his own theory on why girl groups have failed to make much of an impact on the X Factor.
He said: 'Guys are ordinarily in groups or have come out of groups, and girls tend not to be in groups because they bitch a lot, you know.'
Despite joking that new judge Gary Barlow was 'just like some James Bond baddie', Noel said the Take That star was a 'good lad', but was less forthcoming with praise when discussing Louis Walsh.
'Louis Walsh, he's mad as a box of frogs isn't he, he really does… he lives in a parallel universe.
'You think to yourself "Do you get British TV in Ireland? Oh you do get it? You do know what's on the telly?" I mean, he's insane.'
Noel also revealed his anger when Louis Walsh had claimed that the Gallagher brothers would have 'loved' G4's cover of Oasis track Don't Look Back In Anger during the first series of the X Factor, saying: 'That's why they should bring it out in 3D, the X Factor, so you could literally lean into the television and just press on his throat a little bit.'
Source: www.metro.co.uk