Shayne Ward blasts US X Factor minimum age

Shayne Ward thinks the US X Factor's minimum age of 12 is "too young".

The 'Breathless' hitmaker - who shot to fame after winning the UK version of the talent show in 2005 - believes Simon Cowell should revoke his recent decision to allow kids as young as 12 to enter the competition, as he thinks 15 or 16 is a more appropriate age.

Shayne told Digital Spy: "Obviously there are a lot of 12-year-olds over in America who are incredible singers. But I personally think it's too low. It's a completely different world over there.

"With the whole Justin Bieber thing, I can see why lowering the age threshold might be seen as a good thing, but personally I think it should be set at about 15 or 16."

While music mogul Simon won't allow any acts below the age of 12 to enter the US 'X Factor', he recently admitted 2009's 'Britain's Got Talent' winner Susan Boyle made him realise he can't "put an age cap on talent".

He explained: "You just can't put an age cap on talent. With Susan Boyle, who would have thought this little lady living on her own in Scotland would go on to sell nearly 20 million records? It's just typical of the record business saying that you have to look this way or whatever.

"I was guilty of that. She taught me a huge lesson that I have to be more open-minded. I think the American audience know what talent is and I don't think it matters if you're in your 40s, 50s, 30s or 14 years old."