Ashes star Phil blasts 'bullying' reality TV

Philip Glenister has blasted reality shows like The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent as 'cruel' and 'bullying'.

Philip, who is soon returning to BBC screens as politically incorrect anti-hero Gene Hunt in Ashes To Ashes, complained about the prevalence of 'cheap' reality and chat shows.

He told the Radio Times: "It's getting harder to find programmes to watch - I notice especially for my generation, with children, who don't go out a lot any more and want to watch a good drama and be taken on a journey.

"One problem is money. We have so many reality and chat shows because they're cheap."

The 47-year-old continued: "What I loathe about The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent is this idea they're going to make someone a star. It's just the Simon Cowell show. He runs the gig."

Philip said he felt the audition process was "cruel, watching self-delusional people in front of three supposed experts who are smirking. It's bullying disguised as entertainment ... Once they get to the talent in the studio it's OK."

Philip also called on the BBC to defend itself more. "I'm a fervent believer in public service broadcasting. The alternative is unthinkable. If they ever pull down BBC TV Centre I'll be the first chained to the railings," he said.

He said of his Ashes to Ashes character Gene Hunt: "He's every man in some respect.

"We live in a sinister blame culture where victims wait to be offended because there's money to be made. Gene Hunt verbalises what people are frightened to say in case they're labelled misogynistic, racist or homophobic."