Former X Factor contestant Niki Evans, has blasted the ITV show for being ageist and said that an over 25 year old woman will never win it.

Niki came fourth in the 2007 series and was unlucky enough to be mentored by Louis Walsh.

Niki told The Mirror: “I will eat my hat if an over-25 woman ever wins The X Factor.”

She added: “Age is a horrible, horrible thing to have to go through. But I was very lucky, touch wood. There’s only a couple of us who got to fourth (position) – of my age group, women.

“I’d be very surprised if an over-25 woman ever won it. It’s not just ageist – it’s sexist as well because you get the little cute boys, and since the four age groups have come in, because it’s over-25s, it’s groups – under-25 boys and under-25 girls. Since that it’s got much much worse because you’re getting twice the amount of young people coming through.”

Niki also believes that the new style auditions make trying out for the show easier and less scary.

She said: “It’s a lot easier now isn’t it? You get backing tracks, you get a big audience so I don’t think it’s as scary as walking into one room with four people staring at you with no music so I think it’s a lot easier these days.”

Niki’s new single, I Feel Love, a cover of Donna Summer’s 1977 hit is out on September 21.