Elton slams X Factor

Tags: alexandra burke, dermot o'leary, elton john, simon cowell, the o2, x factor.

Sir Elton John declared he'd "rather have his cock bitten off by an Alsatian" than watch X Factor, as he thanked his audience at the O2 Arena for coming to see him on the same night that the singing competition final was aired. It's the second time Elton has hit out at Simon Cowell's hit series, saying two years ago: "The X Factor is a cruise ship show."

He's left himself in a tricky position, as presenter Dermot O'Leary announced Elton will be joined onstage at his New Year's Eve gig by the contest's winner, Alexandra Burke.