star Alex James has criticised reality TV shows for handing acts multi-million dollar record deals, leaving them unprepared to deal with overnight success.

The bassist insists that shows including American Idol and Britain's The X Factor give new artists an unhealthy introduction into the music business because they are thrown into the spotlight so suddenly.

James says, "Bands in these shows think getting a record deal is the answer to their problems. But it's probably the start of all their problems actually. You know success messes you up far more than failure does, I think."

In 2007 James was part of a judging panel for British reality TV show, MobileAct Unsigned, which saw him scour the country for new talent, with the winning band landing a record deal.