Chris Martin: 'X Factor is really important'

We're well used to hearing pop stars bemoan the damage they think The X Factor is doing to the recording industry, so it's actually quite shocking to hear somebody singing (pun intended) its praises.

And the superfan in question is none other than Chris Martin, who just happens to be performing on the show with his band Coldplay this weekend.

Speaking on Absolute Radio, he said: "We really feel grateful for it because they don't often have bands on and we get to play what we want to play and play songs that we wrote, and no-one's asking us to change anything. It's amazing.

"There's no other TV show, really, except for Jools Holland, that gives you that. So we were like, 'Thank you, we'd love to'.

"I understand that there are people who are musically not into it, but I don't agree with them and I say that with all respect. I really love it and I think the music's great."

Asked why he thought the show is important, he responded: "It always has great songs on it every week."

Well, you can't argue with that, can you?