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Getting Over the X
It was the stuff dreams were made of. It became the ultimate nightmare. Being the first winner of the X Factor in 2004, Steve Brookstein should have had it all. Instead, he tells a story of a man sold down the river by his own record label as they championed the runner-up, G4, and forced him into an album of cover songs.
This is the story of what really happened, from vicious personal attacks by Sharon Osborne and Louis Walsh to threats from Max Clifford about going public. A decade on, and Max Clifford is inside and severely discredited. So is Andy Coulson, an editor who ran many of the untrue stories about Steve. He has been dubbed a pub singer, a fake, a flop and bitter as the narrative that begun on the show became adopted by journalists who thought he was fair game, frequently reviewing gigs that they hadn't been to or inventing quotes he hadn't said, and always regulated by a toothless Press Complaints Commission.
Ten years on, Steve is now able to lift the lid on the show itself and analyse for the first time exactly what Max Clifford said when he rang to say, 'Talk to the press and we'll bury you.'
This is the story of what really happened, from vicious personal attacks by Sharon Osborne and Louis Walsh to threats from Max Clifford about going public. A decade on, and Max Clifford is inside and severely discredited. So is Andy Coulson, an editor who ran many of the untrue stories about Steve. He has been dubbed a pub singer, a fake, a flop and bitter as the narrative that begun on the show became adopted by journalists who thought he was fair game, frequently reviewing gigs that they hadn't been to or inventing quotes he hadn't said, and always regulated by a toothless Press Complaints Commission.
Ten years on, Steve is now able to lift the lid on the show itself and analyse for the first time exactly what Max Clifford said when he rang to say, 'Talk to the press and we'll bury you.'
320 pages, Hardcover
First published November 21, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 26, 2014
I've read comments on Twitter about the relevance of this book in 2014, I feel there's never been a better time for Steve to share his story. The interest is still there, the press still contact him every year a new series starts, and with the truth about how the press really operate coming out in recent years, and Steve himself being erased from X Factor history, it's no wonder he wants to get his story out there, now he finally feels in the right place to do so.
The X Factor does appeal to all generations, but it would be interesting to know how many of the current viewers remember Steve, or actually even watched the first series. I was only 14 at the time, so can't remember all that much about it except my Mum voting for Steve and I think I bought his album for her (we have it in the house, so somebody did). I can't recall the venom with which Louis and Sharon spoke to him (on live TV) and it's shocking this was even allowed. The word bully is thrown around on X Factor almost yearly now, and a week without an argument is very rare indeed, it's done almost in a pantomime way now but back then it was nothing more than vicious (see YouTube), and it's a wonder how Steve got through those weeks.
The chapters in the book are dated by month and year, with Steve discussing what was going on around that time. Taking us from the very first audition, right through to the final and the years afterwards up until the present day. Steve speaks very openly and honestly throughout. No stranger to the business when he auditioned, he wasn't stupid and knew the games the music business could play, yet even with Pop Idol and the like, nobody could predict how big The X Factor would become, nor how many lives would be changed, and not always for the better. Behind a TV or computer screen it's easy to forget these are people, being used solely for a few hours of entertainment each week. We often get a look into their lives behind the scenes but only what the producers want us to see, and Steve lifts the lid on what really goes on.
We now know more about just how manipulative these shows can be, the contestants and the public played with week on week, stories twisted and fabricated just to provoke a reaction and get people talking. The winner of the show was promised great things, their lives changed forever. The loser was promised nothing. You can imagine then the surprise and annoyance of Steve to find out G4 were to release their album first, sell more copies and go on to be called 'the real winners' by Simon and Louis. Being a teenager I wasn't all that interested in what the media wrote at that time, so much of the information here was new to me, and it's certainly very revealing, lifting the lid on just what goes on and how certain people set out to shut Steve up, however he wasn't willing to go down without a fight.
Steve has alluded to things over the years without ever revealing the full story, well in this book he is able to finally do that. I'm not going to list them here but there are some very interesting stories. With everything that went on after Steve won, I'm assuming the contract for future contestants looked very different to Steve's, the ones signed by the current crop must be incredibly long, so it'd be interesting to actually read the stories of the other winners, or the other contestants who entered a show hoping to fulfill their dreams only for a lot of them to find out fifteen minutes isn't a very long time. Perhaps those stories can never materialise.
Throughout the years many have called Steve bitter, or critcised him for refusing to shut up but the truth is the media twist things or report incorrectly, and stories which appeared damaging Steve weren't always true, yet with people attempting to keep him quiet, and the public and media seeing him as a joke, he never had the platform to get his story across, and get the truth out there. Even before that he had to face constant belittling, ridicule and nasty comments from two judges, is it any wonder that he's come across as bitter over the years? I'm sure most people would have. He is only human after all.
You only have to look at Steve's Twitter on a Saturday night to see why people call him bitter, and it's given this book a bit of a bad rep before it has even been released, it's not all negative. Steve is also very much a family man, speaking with love and adoration about his wife and children. That said though he doesn't actually come across as bitter (not much anyway), the passage of time perhaps making him more accepting and understanding of what went on. It isn't 300 pages of hatred towards Simon and The X Factor, it's very much about Steve and his life, and how the experiences changed it, it's not a wholly negative read and there are positives to take from the experience.
I felt the book ended quite abruptly, I would've liked a bit more about Steve looking to the future but hopefully now he's shared his story finally, he can find happiness and move on with his life. Steve might have been erased from X Factor history, and some people might make fun of this book, yet you can't criticise it without giving it a chance and I really hope that people do. It's a story that does hold relevance ten years on, and is one that I think deserves to be read.
Thanks to Steve Brookstein and ghostwriter Tony Horne for the review copy.
The X Factor does appeal to all generations, but it would be interesting to know how many of the current viewers remember Steve, or actually even watched the first series. I was only 14 at the time, so can't remember all that much about it except my Mum voting for Steve and I think I bought his album for her (we have it in the house, so somebody did). I can't recall the venom with which Louis and Sharon spoke to him (on live TV) and it's shocking this was even allowed. The word bully is thrown around on X Factor almost yearly now, and a week without an argument is very rare indeed, it's done almost in a pantomime way now but back then it was nothing more than vicious (see YouTube), and it's a wonder how Steve got through those weeks.
The chapters in the book are dated by month and year, with Steve discussing what was going on around that time. Taking us from the very first audition, right through to the final and the years afterwards up until the present day. Steve speaks very openly and honestly throughout. No stranger to the business when he auditioned, he wasn't stupid and knew the games the music business could play, yet even with Pop Idol and the like, nobody could predict how big The X Factor would become, nor how many lives would be changed, and not always for the better. Behind a TV or computer screen it's easy to forget these are people, being used solely for a few hours of entertainment each week. We often get a look into their lives behind the scenes but only what the producers want us to see, and Steve lifts the lid on what really goes on.
We now know more about just how manipulative these shows can be, the contestants and the public played with week on week, stories twisted and fabricated just to provoke a reaction and get people talking. The winner of the show was promised great things, their lives changed forever. The loser was promised nothing. You can imagine then the surprise and annoyance of Steve to find out G4 were to release their album first, sell more copies and go on to be called 'the real winners' by Simon and Louis. Being a teenager I wasn't all that interested in what the media wrote at that time, so much of the information here was new to me, and it's certainly very revealing, lifting the lid on just what goes on and how certain people set out to shut Steve up, however he wasn't willing to go down without a fight.
Steve has alluded to things over the years without ever revealing the full story, well in this book he is able to finally do that. I'm not going to list them here but there are some very interesting stories. With everything that went on after Steve won, I'm assuming the contract for future contestants looked very different to Steve's, the ones signed by the current crop must be incredibly long, so it'd be interesting to actually read the stories of the other winners, or the other contestants who entered a show hoping to fulfill their dreams only for a lot of them to find out fifteen minutes isn't a very long time. Perhaps those stories can never materialise.
Throughout the years many have called Steve bitter, or critcised him for refusing to shut up but the truth is the media twist things or report incorrectly, and stories which appeared damaging Steve weren't always true, yet with people attempting to keep him quiet, and the public and media seeing him as a joke, he never had the platform to get his story across, and get the truth out there. Even before that he had to face constant belittling, ridicule and nasty comments from two judges, is it any wonder that he's come across as bitter over the years? I'm sure most people would have. He is only human after all.
You only have to look at Steve's Twitter on a Saturday night to see why people call him bitter, and it's given this book a bit of a bad rep before it has even been released, it's not all negative. Steve is also very much a family man, speaking with love and adoration about his wife and children. That said though he doesn't actually come across as bitter (not much anyway), the passage of time perhaps making him more accepting and understanding of what went on. It isn't 300 pages of hatred towards Simon and The X Factor, it's very much about Steve and his life, and how the experiences changed it, it's not a wholly negative read and there are positives to take from the experience.
I felt the book ended quite abruptly, I would've liked a bit more about Steve looking to the future but hopefully now he's shared his story finally, he can find happiness and move on with his life. Steve might have been erased from X Factor history, and some people might make fun of this book, yet you can't criticise it without giving it a chance and I really hope that people do. It's a story that does hold relevance ten years on, and is one that I think deserves to be read.
Thanks to Steve Brookstein and ghostwriter Tony Horne for the review copy.
December 22, 2014
I remember watching Pop Idol and Pop Stars when I was still in high school, and being swept along in Will Young vs. Gareth Gates and the formation of the long since defunct Hear'Say. I suppose I probably followed the first series of X Factor, although I don't remember it with any real clarity. Since then, I've never been a regular viewer and have long since taken to actively avoiding it. Bland artists, manufactured drama, contrived and repeated scenarios year on year just don't hold any interest for me, so when I saw that first X Factor winner Steve Brookstein had a tell-all autobiography on Kindle for £1, well, it was something interesting to page through while the rest of the house watched the 2014 finale.
I wouldn't say this is necessarily eye-opening, because it's long been obvious that the X Factor is far from the once-in-a-lifetime, star-making opportunity it was set up to be. Winners are casually tossed aside and discarded, and appalling novelty acts get far more than their fifteen minutes of fame. But reading such an honest and open recollection of the experiences of someone so close to the show was definitely very interesting. None of the original judges - Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and especially Sharon Osbourne - are painted in a pleasant light. It's obvious that Brookstein was exploited by TPTB and essentially thrown under the bus when they'd had their use out of him. His account of the following years, during which the media turned on him and delighted in his every downfall, really make you feel for him and wish he could have caught a break.
This was ghost-written in seemingly quite a short space of time, and it does show in the writing. The earlier sections seem as though they were written after reviewing the tapes of each week's shows, and so are written with a familiarity few will recall of a decade-past talent show. Sections later in the book seem pieced together from Brookstein's email correspondence, and there's quite a lot of repetition when it comes to his final dealings with his record label, his motivations and expectations. The writing is why I've given it 3 stars, but in terms of how well it held my interest, how much I unexpectedly found myself looking forward to diving back into it over a few day period, it's closer to 4.
I wouldn't say this is necessarily eye-opening, because it's long been obvious that the X Factor is far from the once-in-a-lifetime, star-making opportunity it was set up to be. Winners are casually tossed aside and discarded, and appalling novelty acts get far more than their fifteen minutes of fame. But reading such an honest and open recollection of the experiences of someone so close to the show was definitely very interesting. None of the original judges - Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and especially Sharon Osbourne - are painted in a pleasant light. It's obvious that Brookstein was exploited by TPTB and essentially thrown under the bus when they'd had their use out of him. His account of the following years, during which the media turned on him and delighted in his every downfall, really make you feel for him and wish he could have caught a break.
This was ghost-written in seemingly quite a short space of time, and it does show in the writing. The earlier sections seem as though they were written after reviewing the tapes of each week's shows, and so are written with a familiarity few will recall of a decade-past talent show. Sections later in the book seem pieced together from Brookstein's email correspondence, and there's quite a lot of repetition when it comes to his final dealings with his record label, his motivations and expectations. The writing is why I've given it 3 stars, but in terms of how well it held my interest, how much I unexpectedly found myself looking forward to diving back into it over a few day period, it's closer to 4.
January 4, 2015
A fascinating read,revealing the flip side of fame, and what really happens behind the glitz and glamour of the X Factor.
If what Steve Brookstein says is true about Sharon Osbourne's treatment of him,then she should be ashamed of herself,absolutely appalling behaviour.
Whilst the turn of events completely altered his life,I admire him for staying true to his beliefs and continuing with his love of music.
If what Steve Brookstein says is true about Sharon Osbourne's treatment of him,then she should be ashamed of herself,absolutely appalling behaviour.
Whilst the turn of events completely altered his life,I admire him for staying true to his beliefs and continuing with his love of music.
November 12, 2021
I remember when Steve won the X Factor. I was at a Manic Street Preachers concert in Nottingham and my friend texted me to say who had won. My then boyfriend was furious - telling me how uncool it was to be interested in a rubbish talent show! Of course it was a new thing then, untainted (to us watchers, anyway) with the accusations of mediocrity, cover versions, killing music, pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap attitudes and the obligatory sob stories.
I actually thought Steve was a decent singer at the time and have seen many mean and spiteful things in the press over the years about him so I applaud his decision to set the record straight. This is no Booker Prize winner - I was astonished to read it was written by a ghostwriter and I suspect Steve could have written it better himself.
It was interesting to have the lid lifted on the crooked and appalling attitudes of Simon Cowell and his minions, not to mention the media.
I actually thought Steve was a decent singer at the time and have seen many mean and spiteful things in the press over the years about him so I applaud his decision to set the record straight. This is no Booker Prize winner - I was astonished to read it was written by a ghostwriter and I suspect Steve could have written it better himself.
It was interesting to have the lid lifted on the crooked and appalling attitudes of Simon Cowell and his minions, not to mention the media.
July 9, 2018
Great read
Like millions of us I was glued to x factor in the first series. But even then some things were just not right about the Cowell juggernaut. For me the show was meant to be about singing, unfortunately anything to do with Cowell is just that, its all about Cowell. I can no longer watch anything that is remotely Cowell orientated. The same lines dished out year after year, and I bet if you're honest you probably can't remember many of the winners names at all, and if you can where are they now. Not many are still about. I read Steve's book, first with anger, then sadness, then pride that HE believed in himself, against all odds, and has come out the other side, a more happier contented individual, making the music he wants to make. A really good read.
Like millions of us I was glued to x factor in the first series. But even then some things were just not right about the Cowell juggernaut. For me the show was meant to be about singing, unfortunately anything to do with Cowell is just that, its all about Cowell. I can no longer watch anything that is remotely Cowell orientated. The same lines dished out year after year, and I bet if you're honest you probably can't remember many of the winners names at all, and if you can where are they now. Not many are still about. I read Steve's book, first with anger, then sadness, then pride that HE believed in himself, against all odds, and has come out the other side, a more happier contented individual, making the music he wants to make. A really good read.
June 13, 2022
Ok, I’ve never watched any of these talent shows, they’re not my thing, but good luck to those that like them.
I figured this would be interesting, just to see the reality of the Reality Show.
I mean, no one really thinks that any of the people behind this are in it for the music, right? It’s just a money making exercise.
So it was interesting to read what happened to Steve Brookstein, as the only narrative I was aware of was the press one (it’s impossible to escape this stuff, if you have your eyes and ears open).
So, whilst it was interesting, I wasn’t exactly shocked, but it’s a cautionary tale for our times, if a little repetitive in places.
I figured this would be interesting, just to see the reality of the Reality Show.
I mean, no one really thinks that any of the people behind this are in it for the music, right? It’s just a money making exercise.
So it was interesting to read what happened to Steve Brookstein, as the only narrative I was aware of was the press one (it’s impossible to escape this stuff, if you have your eyes and ears open).
So, whilst it was interesting, I wasn’t exactly shocked, but it’s a cautionary tale for our times, if a little repetitive in places.
October 29, 2019
Not the best written book and I am unsurprised a ghostwriter is to take credit. It was interesting to hear about Steve’s experience with the show; I didn’t watch the first series but it sounds like he was treated awfully. It’s something we all know now though and nothing screamed ‘new’ to me. We all know Max Clifford was a terrible man and Simon Cowell has no loyalty to anyone bar his own success.
October 15, 2024
Had this on my kindle for many years from when I used to watch x factor. Steve obviously went through a horrendous time on The X Factor but this book just seemed to be a bitter account of his time on the show that he couldn't let go and blamed for everything in his life. Was almost a DNF but I'm not great at not finishing books!
December 19, 2014
Everyone has heard of Steve Brookstein, unless you were living on Mars when he won the X Factor, before sinking into oblivion.
It doesn't take a mastermind to see that his career was very badly managed following the win. I can remember wondering why he wasn't being promoted at the time. So I was quite interested to read this book and get the gossip from his perspective - especially on the kindle for one pound no less! Bargain!
The book is a candid read and Brookstein successfully serves to demonstrate the disgusting machine that is the X Factor with Simon Cowell at the heart. He highlights how he has been cruelly slated by the press over the years and this has clearly impacted on his emotional well being. It has to be said that considering that he was the first of many thrown to the wayside by Syco, it seems more than a little unfair that he has become the joke that he is within the media. Therefore you can't help but feel throughout this book that this guy needs a serious break.
Going back to the win, having read the book I am not entirely surprised that things ended as they did between the pair. At times Brookstein comes over as aggressive and paranoid. Also at several points his behaviour comes across as being brat like and hard to work with / manage (the ribbons at wembley, conversations with management at Syco, talking to cast members of Our House after they laughed at him). Nonetheless, I largely felt sorry for how things panned out for him.
My biggest bug bare in relation to this book was Brookstein's lack of responsibility for his fall from grace and his ongoing blaming for everything - including the death of Diana for a lack of media coverage, the death of a man thus not recording a new single - yes really! I'm surprised god isn't in there for giving him life. Although, I am sure that if he were to read this, Brookstein, not god, he would accuse me of being part of the 'Max Clifford narrative'.
Despite this, I am reluctant to give him a hard time as he has clearly suffered over the years and I think it would be easy to use this as a character assassination. Put simply, Brookstein is a man with a dream and that dream was screwed up, stamped upon and then ridiculed by all as he struggled to heave himself out of the gutter Simon Cowell threw him into.
Brookstein is clear that his message from this book is to finally tell his story and lift the lid on the X Factor and it's power within the media. In my opinion, he has most certainly succeeded in this. In fact, he has done this to the point where you can't help but look back on all the talent the show has had over the years and gasp at the lack of nurture these artists have received. Nearly all of the winners have been hung out to dry once they have squeezed the initial single and album out with no real input into their development. But then I look at other artists managed by Cowell (Robson and Jerome, the Teletubbies) and I wonder why I'm surprised!
Maybe this is the beginning of the end for Cowell but more than that I hope that this is the beginning of genuinely 'getting over the x' for Brookstein. I really hope that he finds happiness on whatever path he takes next.
It doesn't take a mastermind to see that his career was very badly managed following the win. I can remember wondering why he wasn't being promoted at the time. So I was quite interested to read this book and get the gossip from his perspective - especially on the kindle for one pound no less! Bargain!
The book is a candid read and Brookstein successfully serves to demonstrate the disgusting machine that is the X Factor with Simon Cowell at the heart. He highlights how he has been cruelly slated by the press over the years and this has clearly impacted on his emotional well being. It has to be said that considering that he was the first of many thrown to the wayside by Syco, it seems more than a little unfair that he has become the joke that he is within the media. Therefore you can't help but feel throughout this book that this guy needs a serious break.
Going back to the win, having read the book I am not entirely surprised that things ended as they did between the pair. At times Brookstein comes over as aggressive and paranoid. Also at several points his behaviour comes across as being brat like and hard to work with / manage (the ribbons at wembley, conversations with management at Syco, talking to cast members of Our House after they laughed at him). Nonetheless, I largely felt sorry for how things panned out for him.
My biggest bug bare in relation to this book was Brookstein's lack of responsibility for his fall from grace and his ongoing blaming for everything - including the death of Diana for a lack of media coverage, the death of a man thus not recording a new single - yes really! I'm surprised god isn't in there for giving him life. Although, I am sure that if he were to read this, Brookstein, not god, he would accuse me of being part of the 'Max Clifford narrative'.
Despite this, I am reluctant to give him a hard time as he has clearly suffered over the years and I think it would be easy to use this as a character assassination. Put simply, Brookstein is a man with a dream and that dream was screwed up, stamped upon and then ridiculed by all as he struggled to heave himself out of the gutter Simon Cowell threw him into.
Brookstein is clear that his message from this book is to finally tell his story and lift the lid on the X Factor and it's power within the media. In my opinion, he has most certainly succeeded in this. In fact, he has done this to the point where you can't help but look back on all the talent the show has had over the years and gasp at the lack of nurture these artists have received. Nearly all of the winners have been hung out to dry once they have squeezed the initial single and album out with no real input into their development. But then I look at other artists managed by Cowell (Robson and Jerome, the Teletubbies) and I wonder why I'm surprised!
Maybe this is the beginning of the end for Cowell but more than that I hope that this is the beginning of genuinely 'getting over the x' for Brookstein. I really hope that he finds happiness on whatever path he takes next.
February 7, 2017
In 2004, Steve Brookstein won the first series of the Xfactor. He had a number one single, successful debut album, then seemed to disappear amidst a plethora of "he's difficult to work with" articles. In this book, Steve doesn't mince words, but he doesn't put a spin on the events before and after the Xfactor.
It's very clear that he was branded with the "Pub Singer" image from the get-go - in fact, he had turned down a job supporting Lionel Richie to appear on the Xfactor and had just finished supporting Dionne Warwick. From his first audition when Sharon Osbourne yelled "stay out of the pub, p*sshead" to the live final in which she tore strips off him on live TV, Steve bit his tongue and remained cool for the duration of the pantomime.
This is such a good read - I finished it in two days despite having a list of stuff to do - I couldn't put it down. It's an honest, well written account of what really happened behind the scenes, and the awful way that Steve was treated because he didn't always tow the party line or walk around with his head up Simon Cowell's bum. If in any doubt of Steve's claims - take a look at the careers of Matt Cardle, Shayne Ward, Leon Jackson, and Joe McElderry. All were winners, all were dropped relatively soon after winning this supposed "dream prize".
Read it, it's excellent.
It's very clear that he was branded with the "Pub Singer" image from the get-go - in fact, he had turned down a job supporting Lionel Richie to appear on the Xfactor and had just finished supporting Dionne Warwick. From his first audition when Sharon Osbourne yelled "stay out of the pub, p*sshead" to the live final in which she tore strips off him on live TV, Steve bit his tongue and remained cool for the duration of the pantomime.
This is such a good read - I finished it in two days despite having a list of stuff to do - I couldn't put it down. It's an honest, well written account of what really happened behind the scenes, and the awful way that Steve was treated because he didn't always tow the party line or walk around with his head up Simon Cowell's bum. If in any doubt of Steve's claims - take a look at the careers of Matt Cardle, Shayne Ward, Leon Jackson, and Joe McElderry. All were winners, all were dropped relatively soon after winning this supposed "dream prize".
Read it, it's excellent.
July 27, 2015
I was firmly Team G4 during the first series of The X Factor, and many an argument was had between my Mother and I as to whether Steve was any good or not. Now I can see he is a good singer of a genre I'm not a huge fan of and that was swaying my views... ANYWAY. The sections on The X Factor and the year or so afterward are really interesting, but I felt this book dwindled as it went on and Steve became more estranged from Simon Cowell et. all. That could well be a ghostwriting issue, as well as the fact that Steve himself admits he languished for a long time doing not much at all to reestablish himself in the music industry.
He is a victim of having made a few bad decisions and playing the wrong hand in Cowell's game, and he has every right to be bitter. A good insight for anyone who is interested in the world of TV talent shows.
He is a victim of having made a few bad decisions and playing the wrong hand in Cowell's game, and he has every right to be bitter. A good insight for anyone who is interested in the world of TV talent shows.
August 2, 2015
I really did not know what to expect with this one. I don't read life stories as a rule but seeing how the x-factor have treated my daughter this week I took to social media to hit out. I seen that Steve was helping other people that had been shafted by the x-factor and was sharing their stories on Twitter. I did not expect this as the press always describe him as being an arse, yet there he was being nice. I don't know Steve. like most people I had read the stories in the papers and I too was guilty of believing their stories. I can say having read this book that my eyes have been opened. The shocking treatment from Simon Cowell, his minions and even worse the press could have destroyed him. All I can say is well done Steve for carrying on when many would have hidden under a rock a stayed there. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE.
December 21, 2014
Having read so many positive reviews on this book, I still feel that Steve Brookstein is a tortured soul. This exposé does make you think twice about how manipulative the media can be and it was interesting to read how Max Clifford was once such a powerful influence, however most of the revelations are nothing new. Yes with hindsight we know reality talent shows are 'fixed', but I was left thinking this book should have been written sooner. I'm suprised that certain stories within this book have not been revealed. Do we have a cynical press or are there hidden forces spinning the truth?... Maybe money does talk. What happens to Steve just before the live final is a pause for thought but then that's life.
December 17, 2014
My preconceptions of Steve Brookstein were the obvious: bitter, could not let go, a has been etc.My opinions were shaped by newspaper columns. To be fair, X Factor passed me by because I love music and X Factor has nothing to do with music. The antics of the judges devalue music to me.
So I was very happy to have my prejudices of these sort of talent shows confirmed. The book does seem to be a list at times, stating the various wrongdoings by PR people and journalists. But how could it not be that? What other vehicle does Mr Brookstein have?
Definitely worth a read.
So I was very happy to have my prejudices of these sort of talent shows confirmed. The book does seem to be a list at times, stating the various wrongdoings by PR people and journalists. But how could it not be that? What other vehicle does Mr Brookstein have?
Definitely worth a read.
September 6, 2015
A truly terrible book. Badly written and poorly put together. An unbalanced and uninformative account of the X Factor process and it's fall out.
However Brookstein was undoubtedly treated badly, so it is unfortunate that a lot of people who read this book will still watch the X Factor, vote and continue to feed the culture of gladiatorial popularity contests.
However Brookstein was undoubtedly treated badly, so it is unfortunate that a lot of people who read this book will still watch the X Factor, vote and continue to feed the culture of gladiatorial popularity contests.
January 24, 2015
This was an interesting read. Some disturbing details of the appalling treatment Steve Brookstein received during his time on the X Factor and for years after. I can't say I found all of it enjoyable to read, but it was certainly informative and eye opening.
November 18, 2015
Excellent read about something that everyone probably knows goes on in the music, tv and media business but chooses to get sucked into or overlook. A great voice that never got the chance to shine. Hopefully there will be more than his three albums to date.
December 18, 2014
Sad, soul destroying but ultimately the fascinating story of one man's lonely battle against the juggernaut of media and power. A new found respect for Steve Brookstein, singer and songwriter.
December 18, 2014
Enjoyable book, quite surreal at times but it shows the power of media and allows Steve to get his side of the story across in a cathartic, charming way.
December 24, 2014
A new found respect for Steve and a further intensified hatred of X Factor, Cowell and the press.
February 20, 2015
#52BookChallenge | read in one day
April 30, 2015
Now I know what your thinking...Oh god it's that bloke who won First X Factor.....It is a superb read and it is a very interesting read,Trust me you will change your point of view on Brookstein
February 27, 2016
Interesting and not as bitter as you'd think. An interesting story from someone close to how that 'orrible Saturday night singing show actually works.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews