Simply Red singer, Mick Hucknall has hit out today at reality TV shows like X Factor and accused them of ruining the UK music industry.

I read this and laughed, knowing that this was simply another attempt by Hucknall to make the headlines, raise his profile and hopefully sell a few copies of his bands new album, which is coincidentially being released next week!

I have my problems with the sometimes contrived nature of the X Factor, and I have to agree with Mick, that it would be nice to see a TV show that focused on people who could write their own music or play their own instruments. However to claim that British music industry is “going in the toilet” in the same week that a British Recording Artist scooped five Grammys for her musical achievements is beyond ridiculous.

There have always been manufactured pop acts. In the 80’s and 90’s many of these came from soap operas (think Kylie, Jason or Michelle Gayle), but in the noughties they happen to come from reality TV shows. The rise of shows like X Factor has not stopped the like of Lily Allen, Mark Ronson or The Zutons achieve commercial success, talented acts can still make it in Britain.

What Mick Hucknall needs to realise is that people aren’t buying his music, because peoples musical tastes have moved on, or possibly because he hasn’t released anything good since the mid 90’s, not because “Slimy Cowell” tells them not to.

Hucknall recently announced that he would be leaving Simply Red next year. Roll on 2009, bye bye Mick!