"Coming back to this "discussion" after a few days, having seen it referenced on two or three other boards with general disgust expressed"

yes, there are some very smug supporters of this competition
attempting to 'demonise' this thread on other forums.

When I was the same age as these very proficient
and talented young performers
I would have certainly been highly suspicious
and wary of the 'support'
of such wet patronising older generation 'know-it-alls'

Its almost funny when viewed in context of the rather poor
but quite apropriate new sit com
currently running on BBC1

"Parents of the Band"

When I was the same age as these 'kids'
the last thing me and my mates in our Band wanted
was the 'patronage' of such namby pamby middle clas wankers.

What we truly respected was the honest advice and hard but constructive critcism
of authentic rough gnarly old rockers and roadies
we encountered in studios and at gigs.

god bless 'em if any are still alive now to suffer the stultifying sounds of 21'st century corporate MOR..