Max Clifford has spoken out to defend Simon Cowell and The X Factor against accusations that the talent show "exploits" its contestants, says a report.
Cowell's spokesman told Metro that he rejected criticism from performers' union Equity which claimed that the programme was guilty of "cheap exploitation".
The union also called for a change to the contracts given to contestants on Cowell's talent shows, so that they will be paid for performing in the latter stages of the TV shows.
A motion to be tabled at this month's Trades Union Congress meeting is to argue that those taking part are forced to enter "restrictive contracts" because of a "loophole" in legislation relating to competitions.
It reads: "These programmes may be very popular with the public but are based on exploitation and humiliation of vulnerable people, which cannot be acceptable.
"The public's demand for high-quality entertainment should be met by professional drama and light entertainment which has been replaced by this cheap exploitation."
However, Clifford claimed that all the contestants were aware of what they are entering into.
He said: "These are people desperate to be famous.
"You don't go into this with your eyes closed. It gives them the most incredible launch and then it's up to them.
"Most of the people I've spoken to - ordinary viewers - can't wait for it to come back."
He added: "We'll just have to see the acts that are on this year - the good the bad and the ugly."
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