Shrinks on standby in case of TV meltdown on X Factor

Psychologists will be on set during the new series of The X Factor to protect contestants from the pressure of appearing on the talent show.

Teams have been drafted in after the show's creator and judge Simon Cowell decided to allow the auditions to take place in front of a 3,000-strong audience instead of just four judges.

The move has been prompted by the row over the treatment of Susan Boyle, runner-up in the last series of Britain's Got Talent, who collapsed from exhaustion and was sent to The Priory clinic for treatment.

Tears: Hollie Steel broke down in the BGT semis

There was also concern after 10-year-old singer Hollie Steel broke down in tears on stage during the BGT semi-final.

Psychologists were previously only on call, but now all 24 X Factor finalists will be given full psychological appraisals to check their state of mind.

Richard Holloway, executive producer of both of the hit ITV talent shows, said: "What we have done this year is look at our policies quite carefully and decided that we should have people with us all the way through, particularly with the pressure of audiences at the auditions."

Mr Holloway claimed Scottish singer Boyle suffered very little pressure on the show, but the stress came afterwards from the "huge interest" generated via YouTube and social networking sites.

Stress: Susan Boyle went to Priory with exhaustion

He said psychologists had not needed to step in at this year's auditions, which have already been filmed.

But producers were given special advice on dealing with a contestant with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, who told judges he did not leave his house for seven years because of the condition.

Judge Louis Walsh raised concerns about the contestant.

He said: "People don't realise the pressure that these acts are under."

The new series of The X Factor begins on ITV1 on Saturday.