Whatever you might think about TV programmes that seek to manufacture pop stars, be they groups or solo performers, it is impossible to deny that they have captured the public's imagination.

The tabloid national newspapers in particular have been quick to catch on to this phenomenon. Their pages are daily filled with the minutiae about contestants and updates on the various campaigns to win support for them. That in itself is fair enough.

This newspaper makes no apology for our support of Bradford's Gareth Gates - not just because he is a local lad but because we think he has more talent and potential as a pop star of the future than his competitors.

Through our contact with his family, we know him to be a pleasant, genuine young man who is all the more deserving of praise for overcoming the difficulties presented by his stammer.

We would never encourage anyone to vote for him out of sympathy, of course. There is no need for that. Gareth's talent clearly shines through - which makes it all the more nauseating that a so-called top TV critic has sunk to the level of personal insults in a bid to fill his column and promote the fortunes of his own personal favourite.

Gareth's mum is right to be angry about this type of inexcusable, cheap attack. There is no need for it. It adds nothing to the national debate about who is the most worthy of a title which will ultimately be awarded on the basis of talent, and merely shows up the critic concerned for his lack of common decency.