John Lydon Blames X Factor Over His Band Not Having A Record Label

Punk icon John Lydon has blamed TV talent shows for the fact his reunited Public Image Ltd. have yet to find a record label.

The sneering former Sex Pistols singer has taken aim at hit shows like The X Factor and American Idol, claiming the music industry has been dominated by the "unimportant" series.

He tells NME.com: "There's some fantastic singers that come out of that, but they're karaoke... It becomes like the way record companies used to operate.

"In fact, if you ever want to know why I'm not on a record label, look at The X Factor!

"Honestly, of all the people that strive to break barriers in music and do good things and write great lyrics, not one of them would ever pass the first round on any of these competitions."

PiL are planning to release their ninth studio album, This Is PiL, later this year but the band is still on the hunt for a label.