Joe McElderry says X Factor could do more to create a "safe space for artists" along with working on their "aftercare" for singers. This, after saying the show has gone harsher in the past years before it was cancelled. Now that there are rumors of its comeback on Channel 5, McElderry says he hopes substantial changes can be made.
The hitmaker who won the 2009 series, appeared on FURBAR Radio speaking with TOWIE star Bobby Norris and Stephen Leng on the popular gossip show Access All Areas.
During their discussion, naturally talk turned to former Pop Star and Pop Idol legend Darius Campbell Danesh's tragic death.
The singer was found unresponsive in his apartment in Minnesota on August 11, with medics pronouncing the 41-year-old artist dead after they'd arrived at the scene. Local Rochester police did confirm that there were "no signs of intent of suspicious circumstances" however further toxicology reports will be carried out.
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Joe told the hosts that Darius was] such a talent and such a lovely person that his death is so sad and tragic.
Later on in the discussion, conversation turned to the possibility of Simon Cowell's ITV talent scout possibly making a comeback after it was axed in July last year.
However, there have been recent rumours that the programme could be revamped and be back on different channel in 2023 after a five-year hiatus. With speculation that Simon is in talks with a production company, Joe urged that he would be supportive of the shows return but outlined adaptations for stars of the show will need to be made.
He said to Bobby and Stephen, "I hope if it does come back, they do make some more changes to make it a bit more of a safe space for artists in terms of the way the contracts are formed and the aftercare of the artists and things like that." He added, "We're hearing more and more stories about how people suffered on those shows, and not just X Factor, lots of other reality shows as well. It's not just that one."
In a previous interview, Joe said he believed The X Factor became harsher the longer it was airing, up until it went off air.
'I think they tried to get a little bit too clever with the format which I think maybe it became a little bit too cruel, with all that six-chair challenge thing and telling people they were through then they weren't.'
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