Elaine Bedell, ITV’s director of entertainment, has commended The X Factor’s ‘next generation’ panel, and has described its criticism as “ludicrous”.

Bedell told Broadcast that the number of young viewers tunign in had increased slightly, and praised Tulisa for bringing “rawness” to the show.

Cracks have been appeaing on the panel in recent weeks, but reports this week suggest Kelly Rowland is desperate to smooth things over.

Viewing figures have fallen by around 2 million compared to 2010, but The X Factor is still the highest rated show on television.

How do you think this year’s X Factor compares to the standard of previous years?

Keep it central!