Sir Paul McCartney has said it's unlikely reality TV shows such as The X Factor will discover the next Bob Dylan.

Despite admitting that he finds the shows “compulsive viewing”, the former Beatle said he thinks the current crop is “just a phase we're going through.”

"I think there is too much of it, really," Sir Paul told reporters at a press conference in London.

"You can't turn on the telly without somebody being judged by four people, whether they are on ice or on the stage or in the jungle.

"I just think it's a bit weird myself. So I'm not very keen on it. But I watch it like everybody."

It's "compulsive viewing - but so is a traffic accident", he added.

"I don't think you are going to get a Bob Dylan emerging from one of those shows, but then not everyone goes on those shows.”

(by Jason Gregory)