Popstars at 25 on Magic Radio revisits X Factor era in new episode
Magic Radio will air episode two of Popstars at 25: The Story of a Talent Show Revolution this Sunday.
Host Nicki Chapman explores the lasting impact of the talent show boom and the peak years of The X Factor.
The programme features interviews with artists who experienced the phenomenon first hand, including Marvin Humes, Lucie Jones and 2016 winner Matt Terry.
Speaking on the documentary, Matt Terry reflects openly on the pressures faced by contestants during the show’s most high-profile years, admitting he later questioned who was truly protecting participants behind the scenes.
He said increased press attention often felt tied directly to maintaining viewer interest, adding that contestants sometimes felt like “pawns” within the wider television machine.
Matt also discussed how winning the competition shaped but did not define his career, explaining that while the achievement remains significant, he refuses to let it become his identity.
He added that reactions to winning differed internationally, saying success on the show often received greater recognition overseas than in the UK.
Lucie Jones recalled the intense audition and live show process, revealing how song choices were frequently decided by production teams.
She described being encouraged to perform Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You, before being questioned about the decision moments before stepping on stage by judge Simon Cowell.
Meanwhile, Marvin Humes shared insight into the competitive environment faced by JLS, suggesting Cowell deliberately introduced rival acts to create tension and drama during the series.
He also reflected on contestants’ hopes of securing high profile mentors, joking that many dreamed of international opportunities but instead found themselves travelling to Dublin with mentor Louis Walsh.
The episode revisits how talent shows reshaped British pop culture, offering personal perspectives on fame, pressure and opportunity from those who lived through television’s most influential music era.
Episode two of Popstars at 25: The Story of a Talent Show Revolution airs on Magic Radio at 7pm this Sunday.
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