Thursday 18 August 2022 05:01 PM Joe McElderry says The X Factor needs to be more of a 'safe space' for ... trends now

Joe McElderry has said he hopes The X Factor creates more of a 'safe space' for contestants if it returns to screens.

It was previously reported that the singing competiton is due to make a comeback after bosses struck a deal with Channel 5 for a new series. 

Speaking on FUBAR Radio's Access All Areas, Joe - who won the show in 2009 -  said The X Factor and other similar shows have 'a long way to go' before they are made positive environments for artists.

He said: '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.'

'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. 

'I do think changes are being made but I still think there's a long way to go. So, I hope if it does come back, it's made in a safe place in the artists' interests that are going onto the show.'

Elsewhere during the interview, Joe spoke about the recent death of former Pop Idol contestant Darius Danesh.

The singer, 41, who had a number one hit with Colourblind, was found dead in his apartment in the US on August 11. 

Joe said: '[He was] such a talent and such a lovely guy. It's so sad. At such a young age as well. It's tragic.' 

'It's such a loss, you know, and I was just looking actually, so many friends that obviously knew him a lot more than I did in the industry have had so many wonderful things to say about him and how much of a lovely person he was. So, yeah, just thoughts go to his family.

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