Sirin Kale and Pandora Sykes look at how three men called Simon are responsible for the gold rush of talent shows in the early noughties and why the format no longer feels fit for purpose.

Producer: Hannah Hufford Executive Producer: Pandora Sykes Executive Editor: James Cook Content Producer: Hannah Robins Technical Producer: Giles Aspen

Archive credits: The X Factor, Fremantle Media Britain’s Got Talent, Talkback Thames Star Search, 2929 Productions Popstars, Warner Bros. Television Pop Idol, 19 Television A Better Me: The Official Autobiography, Bolinda Publishing Misha B video discussing her experiences on and after The X Factor Cher Lloyd’s video on her X Factor experience Walk The Line, Syco Entertainment

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