Damon Albarn has criticised programmes like X Factor and American Idol, claiming they “sanitise” contestants.

The Gorillaz and Blur frontman said the reality shows had left the music business in “very ill health”.

But Albarn added that modern technology could help overcome the situation.

“They do things to these kids,” Albarn told Spinner about the current popularity of TV singing contestants. “They play with their bodies and their faces.

“They just bleach and sanitise everything about them, and that's a very potent aspirational aspect of our society.”

He continued: “So in that sense, the music business is in very ill health - but that can change because the opportunities to make music and communicate ideas are better than they've ever been.”

Meanwhile, Gorillaz are set to embark on a UK arena tour next month.

(by Jason Gregory)