American Idol producer and “The So You Think You Can Dance” judge Nigel Lythgoe,  claimed that The X Factor ITV show is not a talent show because it lacks ‘integrity’. He also and added that he’s glad show boss Simon Cowell left Idol because it gave him a chance to ‘refurbish it.

Speaking to The Radio Times about the return of his hit dance show this Saturday, Lythgoe said:

“You have to choose contestants with talent – unless they have an incredible story to tell. I don’t class The X Factor as a talent show. Look at Jedward and Wagner. They’re on because we love the fun and the circus of it.

“Simon knows what he’s doing – it certainly gives the press something to feed off. But it destroys the integrity of the show.”

He added: “In a way, I’m delighted Simon’s left American Idol. He’s given us the opportunity to refurbish it,” he said. “Everyone said that it would be the end. And what’s happened? The ratings are equal to last year’s, we got 30 million votes the other evening, and if we lost 50% of our audience we would still be the number one show.”