Des O’Connor blasts talent shows for giving shortcuts to fame

TV veteran Des O’Connor reportedly blasted popular talent shows such as The X Factor for giving people who he described as not even talented a...

TV veteran Des O’Connor reportedly blasted popular talent shows such as The X Factor for giving people who he described as not even talented a “shortcut to fame.” 

According to the TV personality, some of the contestants in the talent shows “should not be allowed out of the house.” He said: “A lot of people go on because they want to be famous, not because they are talented.”

He also expressed his concern for young contestants of the shows who are sent home after losing. “What happens to their dreams?” he said. He thinks these shows push the young talents in front of the cameras way too early. 

The star, who is now 80, celebrated his 50th year in show business a couple of months ago. He is known to have begun his career in entertainment with his stints as a comedian and a singer in the Fifties and the Sixties before he entered the TV industry. 

Thus, it wasn’t surprising when he expressed his disapproval of these “shortcuts to fame” and would explain his opinion when he said that young performers should train in the tricks of the trade first by performing at pubs and clubs. 

Talent shows were not the only ones in the receiving end of Des O’Connor’s scrutiny. He also slammed chat shows for providing what he described as “uncomfortable viewing.”