Sam Ryder hits out at talent shows that ‘use’ contestants: ‘Can you look at yourself in the mirror?’

Eurovision star, 36, is a mentor on Channel 4’s new singing show
Eurovision star Sam Ryder has criticised “toxic” talent competitions of the past, saying that he would go “nowhere near” shows that treated their contestants “like currency”.

The singer rose to fame after being chosen to represent the UK in 2022’s Eurovision Song Contest – making history as the highest-scoring British entrant after finishing in second place.

Ryder, 36, is a mentor on new Channel 4 show Your Song , in which he helps members of the public perform a track with personal meaning alongside Paloma Faith and Alison Hammond.

Speaking to The Independent and other press ahead of the show, Ryder said it was important to him that it wasn’t another talent show “where people are used”.

“Can you look at yourself in the mirror after doing what you’ve done in the show?” he asked.

“There are some TV shows out there where people are used – no question about it.

Can those people that have put those people through that sit right with themselves after?

“What we’ve done here with Paloma and Love Productions and everyone in general and the whole crew that worked so hard on it, everyone can feel completely satisfied that there was nothing but good feeling and spirit and heart in the show.”
When asked about how some singing talent shows historically have been “toxic”, he added: “I would go nowhere near any sort of show if it had an element of meanness for meanness’ sake.

“Treat other people as you’d like to be treated yourself – and anything you say to someone, no matter how in your mind you’ve cemented it up as constructively critical, that will sit with someone and cause untold damage if delivered in the wrong way without any kind of bedside manner or kindness.”
Ryder said that he’s speaking from experience, having got his big break at the age of 31.

“I know how that feels.

I’ve been at the receiving end of that kind of criticism in those years of just trying to strive and make the dream work – and it’s horrible.

It was so important that all these people’s stories were treated as truly sacred and they weren’t treated as any kind of currency, like we were getting something from them, wringing the emotional flannel and then saying bye.”
The show’s host Alison Hammond added that while the TV landscape is “very volatile at the moment”, she doesn’t care if the show “bombs” as all the contestants enjoyed themselves.

“We know that every single person who took part in it also loved the experience that they went through.

For us, we have to be authentic in what we do,” she said.

“You can’t be defined by awards and trophies, you’ve got to be defined by how you personally feel inside and how we treat other people.”
While Ryder did not name any specific shows, various talent competitions have come under fire in recent years over their treatment of its contributors.

The X Factor stars Jade Thirlwall – who won the show in 2011 as part of Little Mix – told The Independent last year that she didn’t know anyone who came off the show without “some sort of mental health issue”, while 2010 contestant Katie Waissel previously said that the competition “ruined [her] life”.

The show aired on ITV from 2004 until 2018.

In December, creator and show judge Simon Cowell addressed the criticism , telling The Rest Is Entertainment podcast that he has “always tried, as much as we can, to look after our artists”.

Your Song airs on Sunday 12 April at 9pm on Channel 4.

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