The X Factor returns

Hurrah! The X Factor's back! Just like the football season, it seems to get earlier every year.

It's fashionable in media circles to knock the X Factor - after all, isn't it just a money-making exercise for Simon Cowell?

Truth is, the papers love to knock anything that's mainstream and successful because it's, well, mainstream and successful. To prove their point, they bring up the TV talent show failures we all love to knock: Steve Brookstein, Michelle McManus, Hear'say, One True Voice.

But the amazing success of Leona Lewis both here and in America proves TV talent shows DO work. Not to mention Girls Aloud, Will Young and Jordin Sparks - all huge Hit 40 UK stars in 2008.

OK, so the X Factor has become a bit predictable. Cue Dermot: "It's been a dreadful day. The judges are at rock bottom. No-one's been put through. But then .....". You know there'll be a tearjerker every week - the cancer sufferer who just wants to live their dream or the kid who's bullied at school but has the voice of an angel.

But even now it's still great Saturday night telly. And if they continue to unearth talent like Rachel Hylton, the Londoner who had the first of 5 kids at 13 and served time in prison before turning her life around, it's worth doing.

I love it. It's just scary to think that by the time it's all over, it'll be Christmas!