The likes of Bob Dylan and David Bowie and probably Elvis Presley or any of the Beatles, none of them would have got through Pop Idol, because they're not conventional. They're not what people think is popular now. I like the individuality in people. I don't want everyone to sound the same.

The good thing is that The Human League never really wanted to be in a pop group. We never wanted to be famous. We just liked the music. And I think that's kept us grounded. We're not interested in the celebrity side of anything. We just like getting on stage and doing what we're good at.

I think for a lot of new bands, although they have a lot of opportunity, this music business is not giving them a long-term career. I think there's some terrible stuff that comes out and we are bombarded by likes of The X Factor, Pop Idol and all those programs that I don't really like and I don't approve of.

I think a lot of people go in TV talent shows because they want to be famous and not because it's about the music.

Philip Oakey went to Target this morning to have a wander 'round and a guy ran up to him and said, "I went to see you last night and you were fabulous!" It made Philip's day! Whoever says it to us, we're always happy.

I understand why people do reality TV talent shows, I just don't think it's good for music. It's karaoke. What three people on a panel perceive as being great vocally, I think, isn't necessarily right.

There are other people coming out now, like Adele, people who are making their own music, doing their own stuff. That's a good thing. I think that music's okay. I don't think we need to worry about it.