Brookstein: X Factor is killing music

Brookstein went on: 'In the same period last year, prior to The X Factor, I had performed over 200 hours of singing. This year, thanks to Simon Cowell, I've sung for a total of just 35 minutes. It's a joke. I keep asking myself what more I could have done and where I went wrong.

'I did everything that was asked of me - all the breakfast time TV appearances, radio tours and promotional stuff.

'I did my vocals for the album in two weeks. But it did not come out for six months and I suspect that was because after the show finished Simon spent a month on holiday in Barbados.

'Then he went to America and did Pop Idol.

'I was never was one of Simon's priorities. Simon Cowell is Simon's priority. All the show has done is restrict my trade - but c'est la vie.'

Of being dropped by Sony BMG, Brookstein said: 'I'm not bitter that they have let me go, I'm just disappointed.

'I feel that we had a great opportunity to do a great album with a mixture of some covers and new material.

'Instead I got slated for doing an album of covers. And it hurts because I remember sitting in a meeting and expressly saying that I didn't want to do just covers.

'But with a show like The X Factor you have to toe the line, because otherwise it's your backside on the line.'

Rather than making his fortune through the show, he said he lives in the same house he did a year ago.

Although he has replaced his Volvo, he has exchanged it for a Mini - not a Porsche.

'There is no million-pound deal - I got a lot less than that,' said Brookstein, who is working on a jazz album with girlfriend Eileen Hunter.

'The million is the figure that sells TV. When I signed to EMI as a nobody six years ago I got a £120,000 publishing deal - that is bigger than the record deal I have now.' The singer, who trawled the pub circuit for 17 years prior to his victory in December, added: 'I would not advise anyone young and with talent to go on The X Factor.

'If you're young and any good, then you've a chance of making it on your own terms.

'The show is suited to older people - to those who have run out of opportunities and are at a dead- end in their careers, like I was.'

Cowell, who has been behind more than 50 number one hits, said last night: 'It is fair to say that Steve and I had artistic differences, but then that happens.

'I think the fact that he had a number one single and album and sold over 250,000 albums cannot be damaging to anyone's credibility.'

A spokesman for ITV1 said: 'The X Factor launched Steve's career and off the back of the show he had a number one single and album, a massive achievement for any artist.'

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