It was supposed to be the ultimate chance for an unknown talent to be discovered and secure a life-changing record deal.
But in a dramatic U-turn, The X Factor is changing its rules so that acts who already have managers can compete.
The move, which will raise concerns that the show is no longer a genuine search for an undiscovered star, was let slip by judge Gary Barlow in an interview on Radio 2.
He told Chris Evans: ‘They’re letting people apply that already have managers.
‘They are hoping for a more developed artist and a more developed group, if they have management.’
In past years, contestants have been barred from the ITV1 show if they had an existing management deal.
DailyMail
