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