Pop: time to stop the whingeing. (Tilly).

Don't you get fed up with the whingeing of older superstars such as Elton John and Sting?. Elton chose not to perform at last week's Brit Awards but instead to spend the evening on Newsnight criticising the music industry for exploiting the kind of young singers discovered via shows such as Pop Idol. I share some of his concern about the long-term prospects for Hear'Say, Will and so on but, while Pop Idol may be something of a phenomenon in terms of TV viewing/voting figures, let us remember that the manipulation of star-struck kids is nothing new. There have been others catapulted to fame via TV who have tragically been unable to cope, such as Lena Zavaroni. At least Kym of Hear'Say had the guts to remove herself from a potentially self-destructive situation.

Before Elton criticises "pop" he should recall that one of his first big hits was the wonderful, but pure pop, Crocodile Rock. The advent of shows such as Pop Idol and Popstars has at least generated a much-needed shot in the arm for the industry in an otherwise lacklustre period. I hope Will and Gareth sell millions because they ...