Performers’ union Equity has told the makers of The X Factor and other reality shows to pay contestants who appear in the latter stages of their programmes and accused them forcing participants to enter into "restrictive contracts", the BBC reports. "These programmes may be very popular with the public but are based on exploitation and humiliation of vulnerable people, which cannot be acceptable,” Equity wrote in a motion they plan to table at next month's Trades Union Congress meeting. "The public's demand for high-quality entertainment should be met by professional drama and light entertainment which has been replaced by this cheap exploitation." However, the show’s makers have argued that being a contestant on the show is not the same as being employed. "Contestants choose to enter to compete for a substantial prize - a cash prize of £100,000 and a performance on the Royal Variety Performance for Britain's Got Talent and a recording contract worth £1 million on The X Factor,” a spokeswoman explained. "The shows also give ordinary people an opportunity to showcase their talents and potentially transform their lives." Earlier this week, X Factor judge Louis Walsh spoke out to defend the show’s decision to allow an Asperger’s Syndrome sufferer audition for the show.
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