Joe McElderry says The X Factor needs to be more of a ‘safe space’ for contestants

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.

Throwback: 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 (pictured in 2009)

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. It’s awful.’

The interview comes after reports that The X Factor is due to make a comeback after bosses struck a deal with Channel 5 for a new series.

Opinion: 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

It was previously claimed Simon Cowell had decided ‘the time is right’ to bring back the talent competition which ended in 2018 after 15 years, with the news sparking a bidding war from broadcasters, according to the Daily Star Sunday.

A source told the publication: ‘As soon as X Factor was up for grabs, there was interest from a number of the networks.

‘X Factor is one of the most iconic shows in TV history, so it’s no surprise lots of channels were keen. 

‘The production company had their pick. After a lot of meetings, execs decided to go with Channel 5.’

Backlash: Some former contestants, including Rebecca Ferguson, Cher Lloyd, Jedward and Katie Waissel (pictured) have called out the treatment they received on the show

The insider added that appearing on a new channel gives the creative team the opportunity to ‘completely revamp’ the show.

MailOnline has approached representatives for The X Factor, Simon and Channel 5 for comment. 

The X Factor ran from 2004 until 2018 with a variety of judges overseeing wannabes as they battled it out for a coveted record contract. 

Although the competition had launched a host of successful careers, including those of One Direction, Little Mix and Olly Murs, some former contestants, including Rebecca Ferguson, Cher Lloyd, Jedward and Katie Waissel, have called out the treatment they received on the show. 

Heartbreaking: Elsewhere during the interview, Joe spoke about the recent death of former Pop Idol contestant Darius Danesh, saying he was ‘such a lovely guy’ (pictured in 2018)

In a previous interview, Joe said he believed The X Factor became harsher the longer it was on air. 

He said: ‘I think they tried to get a little bit too clever with the format which I think maybe it became a little bit too cruel, with all that six-chair challenge thing and telling people they were through then they weren’t.’

He further explained why he wasn’t shocked that it got the axe from ITV: ‘I do think they chopped and changed the format so much toward the end that it was hard to follow it a little bit… If it’s not spoilt, why fix it.’

Claims: It was previously claimed Simon Cowell had decided ‘the time is right’ to bring back the talent competition which ended in 2018 after 15 years (Joe pictured in 2009)