The Voice judge Will.i.am is no fool, he knows why rival show The X Factor produces so many hit artists.

The series has churned out a string of success stories, including superstars One Direction, Little Mix and Leona Lewis.

One Direction at the BBC Music Awards
One Direction (PA)

Now Will has said that the reason The X Factor is a hit machine while The Voice is not is all down to the man pulling the strings – Simon Cowell.

He told Q magazine: “OK, I can say it now – before I couldn’t, and now I can. The singing shows that have been successful are ‘The X Factor ‘ and ‘Pop Idol’. Who’s the consistent person working on those shows? Simon Cowell.

Simon Cowell attending the Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS) in aid of charities Nordon Robbins and Brit Trust at the Grosvenor House Hotel.  London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday November 2, 2015. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire
Simon Cowell (PA)

“Here’s a person that ran a record label that is attached to TV shows – of course someone is going to turn into a f***ing star.

Sir Tom Jones, will.i.am, Rita Ora and Ricky Wilson attending the launch of The Voice at the Mondrian Hotel, London.
Will with fellow coaches Sir Tom Jones Rita Ora and Ricky Wilson (Ian West/PA)

“The problem with The Voice is, the people that are on the chairs are not plugged into the record label. Our show is about celebrating awesome voices. He’s looking for ‘The X Factor ‘. We’re trying to get citrus out of apples.”

Will has recently admitted he does not know if he will be returning to The Voice when it moves over to ITV from the BBC.