SIR – I must congratulate Emma Clayton for her excellent comments within her column on Tuesday, October 8.

Regarding this TV programme The X Factor (which I attempt to avoid but am aware of its content), where contestants when discarded – or even accepted – lapse into self- pity and histrionics which is becoming acceptable. Doesn’t say much for some sections of society, does it?

Whatever happened to humility, stoicism and self-awareness? Probably Freud or Jung would have had an opinion.

Her last sentence: “God help us if there’s another world war” is very apt and thought-provoking. Mr Churchill would I’m sure have agreed with her.

S Pickup, Sulby Grove, Bradford