Sting has launched a bitter tirade against British talent show The X Factor, insisting the judges "have no recognisable talent apart from self-promotion."

The musician insists the show is filled with talentless wannabes, who are exploited by TV bosses in a bid to boost ratings, and he's adamant the performances are no better than "televised karaoke" and have nothing to do with discovering real talent.

He says, "I am sorry but none of those kids are going to go anywhere, and I say that sadly. They are humiliated when they get sent off.

"How appalling for a young person to feel that rejection. It is a soap opera which has nothing to do with music. In fact, it has put music back decades. Television is very cynical.

"I was looking at televised karaoke, where they (contestants) conform to stereotypes. They are either Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston or Boyzone and are not encouraged to create any real unique signature or fingerprint."

And Sting reserves his harshest criticism for music mogul Simon Cowell and the rest of the programme's judging panel.

He adds, "The X Factor is a preposterous show and you have judges who have no recognisable talent apart from self-promotion, advising them (contestants) what to wear and how to look. It is appalling.

"The music industry has been hugely important to England, bringing in millions. If anyone thinks the X Factor is going to do that, they are wrong."

But Sting appears to be overlooking Leona Lewis' global success - the Brit won the talent show in 2006 and has gone on to become a huge international star.

The show is obviously a big hit - it has been revamped into almost 20 similar shows around the world; there are now X Factors in India, Colombia, Denmark, Australia, Finland and Kazakhstan.