The cash factor
X Factor stars paid a pittance
CASH-strapped X Factor contestants are being paid a measly £40-a-week to appear on the money-spinning show, we can reveal.
Most of the finalists have to make do with the tiny allowance which is meant to cover personal expenses, such as snacks or credit for their mobile phones.
But, although they also have their main meals, transport and accommodation paid for, industry insiders reckon the singers are worth a lot more because their performances help draw in millions of fans each week.
Producers will match the previous salaries of constestants such as pool cleaner Daniel Evans, who had to provide for his children and pay a mortgage.
Costs
They will also cover housing costs so that the performers will have homes to return to.
But because nearly all the finalists were living with parents and were either students or on low incomes when they made it through to the finals, they are getting just £40 pocket money.
That applies to show favourite Alexandra Burke, 20, who was living with her mum in east London before the show and earning a pittance as a singer.
Diana Vickers, 17, was studying for A levels and living with her parents in Accrington, Lancs, while Eoghan Quigg, 16, in his final year studying for his GCSEs in Northern Ireland.
Three of the JLS stars, lead singer Aston Merrygold, 20, JB Gill, 22, and Oritse Williams, also 22, are also on £40 a week because they were living with their families and were in part-time jobs or they combined work with studies.
Mum Rachel Hylton, 27, was given no pocket money at all when she was still in the competition - and carried on claiming £91.85 a week in benefits.
Fortune
One source close to the ITV1 show said of the £40 per week payments: "It's not very much considering the huge amount of money the show rakes in off the back of their singing.
"The judges earn a fortune. But it's really the contestants that are the biggest draw.
"No-one really complains because they are warned about how much they will be making at the beginning of the show and they feel privileged to be involved.
"But while they maybe don't have a problem with not getting paid much, a lot of people who have worked in the industry think they should be paid more."
This article has 17 comments
instad of voting in on the phone ,
bring back the clap - o -meter
like they did on oppertutny knocks
By roger. Posted November 1 2009 at 7:28 PM.
All of you are jealous! Could you have done better?
By Fudge. Posted December 24 2008 at 6:19 PM.
The £40 per week is tooooooooo small in comparison to wat the program rakes in from the public bearing in mind that pple are actually voting for the contestant and not simon. We just vote to make Simon/other judges millionaires which is sad.
In my opinion i feel each of the 12 finalist shld be compensated with atleast £5,000 after the whole show becos they derserve it. I hope dis £40 will be reviewed. But i know my money cannot go into the program again. NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Gbemi. Posted December 15 2008 at 2:18 AM.
The £40 per week is tooooooooo small in comparison to wat the program rakes in from the public bearing in mind that pple are actually voting for the contestant and not simon. We just vote to make Simon/other judges millionaires which is sad.
In my opinion i feel each of the 12 finalist shld be compensated with atleast £5,000 after the whole show becos they derserve it. I hope dis £40 will be reviewed. But i know my money cannot go into the program again. NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Gbemi. Posted December 15 2008 at 2:17 AM.
i like diana
By marie2. Posted December 9 2008 at 9:07 PM.
i like diana
By marie2. Posted December 9 2008 at 9:07 PM.
i'm quite happy seeing Diana gone,that hand movement of hers is really annoying,infact its a bad habbit!!!Alexandra to win!JLS you are fab!
By Olasubomi Diyan. Posted December 9 2008 at 6:30 PM.
This doesn't surprise me in the slightest,its a programme to make Simon Cowell millions more pounds.How many superstars does the programme make,Hardly any they use & abuse the performers & it turns into an ego thing for the judges were some of the decent talent is voted off so their own acts have a chance of winning.
A few years ago Louis promised to make one of the Groups "Eton Road" into star,& didn't..This is just one of the example of the lies & deceit the show spouts.
Last years final was turned into a Scotland versus Wales final thing rather,which ended with the real talented performer Rhydian not winning.It serves the right he hasn't set the charts alight..
By lofty. Posted December 7 2008 at 9:17 PM.
i was sad to see diana go, she was really gd i no most people didnt like her but i thought she was really good. i hope alex wins though her voice is amazing!!
By sasha. Posted December 7 2008 at 3:03 PM.
bout time she went.thought she were trying to sing like cilla black.
By dave. Posted December 7 2008 at 1:01 PM.
£40 a week is plenty.......most of em can't sing and they get free food and accommodation....
By kp. Posted December 7 2008 at 12:01 PM.
Pleased to see Diana go, her whining voice was getting on my nerves.JLS to win they are fab:
By Ricardo. Posted December 7 2008 at 11:18 AM.
So glad she's gone, hated that hand movement, barefoot and no dancing at all. Good riddance! Thanks to all who voted
By Li. Posted December 7 2008 at 9:32 AM.
i think that you were wrong to kick out diana because one member of jls were in a band before and it's not fair on the other contestants.
I really hope that eoughan wins because he deserves it more.
By Anne Tandy. Posted December 7 2008 at 9:05 AM.
About time to, only reason she stayed on this show was her baby girl charms, isn't it supposed to be a singing talent show and not a sob story show.
By Neville Rapley. Posted December 7 2008 at 9:02 AM.
I'm glad too that Diana has gone - that hand movement of hers and her voice were so annoying.
By Mum of two. Posted December 7 2008 at 7:20 AM.
I would gladly pay Diane Vickers £40 a week to stop singing...I'm not a fan of her singing style at all....
By Mark Morgan. Posted December 7 2008 at 2:38 AM.