Damon Albarn has again criticised The X Factor and said Top Of The Pops offered more for young musicians.

The Blur and Gorillaz frontman has been continually outspoken against the reality show in recent weeks.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said it was "a little depressing" the future of British music was being “informed by a grandiose karaoke show".

“It’s a karaoke colosseum isn’t it really, and I don’t think people participating in it are necessarily being allowed to develop in the way that music should allow young people to develop,” he said.

Albarn went on to claim that former BBC music show Top Of The Pops, which was axed in 2006, was better for music.

“I mean my daughter loves X Factor so I have to also balance it with that side of it - and it’s just my opinion - but the thing about Top Of The Pops was that anything could appear on Top Of The Pops, and it wasn’t controlled by one group of people,” he said.

“The eclecticism Top Of The Pops offered our culture was far more exciting and far more positive.”

Meanwhile, Albarn revealed earlier this week that Blur were planning to do "something" again in January next year.

(by Jason Gregory)