Simon Cowell has dismissed claims by actor Chris O'Dowd that the X Factor UK audience is racist.

The Irishman was recently quoted as saying that the "viewing public is so racist" that black singers regularly get put out in the show's early rounds.

This has angered Cowell, who told Entertainmentwise that the list of past X Factor success stories shows that the public isn't racist.

He said: "We are the least racist show you could possibly find in the world. So not only is he ignorant, it's actually insulting to hear him say that. And it's insulting to our audience. Alexandra Burke, JLS, Leona Lewis. It's ridiculous."

Simon Woolley of race rights group Operation Black Vote meanwhile commented that O'Dowd may have a point. He said:

"I wouldn't describe voters as racist, but there's something more subtle going on which makes it harder for contestants with a 'darker' physical complexion to win public support. Generally the 'blacker' the artist is, the harder it is for the public to warm to them."