X Factor winner slams ‘dangerous’ reality TV and gives stark warning-Sabrina Barr and Kitty Chrisp-Entertainment – Metro

Matt Terry, who was crowned winner of the X Factor in 2016, has spoken out against reality TV.

The singer, 30, appeared on the thirteenth series of the famed singing competition under the mentorship of Nicole Scherzinger, only for the show to be pulled just two years later due to poor ratings.

In October Matt made a comeback to the music scene, dropping his first song in over five years, You Don’t Know Nothing.

Last year he revealed that after ‘willfully’ stepping away from the limelight to ‘rebuild’ himself again musically, he was back. In February, Matt went on to release his second album, Ghost of Me.

Now, Bromley-born Matt has opened up to Metro.co.uk exclusively from the Bafta red carpet in London, all about his time on the X Factor and his absence since.

‘I’ve learned so much these last eight years. It’s been a journey for sure. Lots of ups and downs,’ he said, before reflecting on reality TV as a whole, and their ‘dangerous’ nature for contestants.

Matt Terry won the thirteenth series of The X Factor in 2016 (Picture: Dymond/Thames/Syco/REX/Shutterstock)

In the eight years since he appeared on primetime TV, Matt has learnt a lot (Picture: CALYX/REX/Shutterstock)

‘I’m sure you’re hearing now what these reality TV shows do to people and how they can be really dangerous if in the wrong hands and if you’re not quite ready.

‘I can definitely say that I wasn’t ready. I knew that I had talent and I wanted to win the show, and I’m so glad I did and I have no regrets.

‘But I do think that we are more aware now of our mental health. We’re more aware of anxiety, depression, suicide – sorry to get deep but it’s just the truth – there are people killing themselves because of these these shows.

‘So I think it’s really important that we take into consideration that although, yes, these are characters that we’re seeing on TV or personalities, they’re human, we’re all human.

He continued: ‘We’re artists. We’re actors with TV stars. We’re personalities, all these things, but we’re human first. That’s what I hope everybody can see going forward in the future.’

Matt then gave some surprising advice for those gunning to be on the next Love Island, The Voice or Married at First Sight.

‘If you’re really content with where you are in life already, you don’t want to do it,’ he said.

Now he’s making a comeback – and has some stern words for young people looking to follow his path (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

‘It depends on how you measure success. If you measure success by the amount of followers that you have I would say definitely don’t go on a reality TV show because I think your priorities are wrong. Because that’s not right.

‘But if you have a great life. If you have good friends, good humans around you, a good job at home. You don’t need to go and do that. Because that’s real happiness. You know, having a lot of followers and a blue tick really isn’t all that.’

The songwriter hopes young people realise that 21 isn’t a time to get a Range Rover and a house, but an age to go out, make mistakes, meet people and figure out who you are.

‘If you are in that area of your life, and you really understand [reality TV] and get it, go for it – you’ve got nothing to lose; if you want to go find love on a TV show, go do that.

‘But I think if you don’t know who you are yet, I wouldn’t recommend it. You have to go in pretty sure of yourself. I would say that’s my experience and what happened to me.’

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