Gary Barlow And Robbie Williams: '16 Too Young For The X Factor'

Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams have voiced concerns about the minimum age of contestants on The X Factor.

It comes after Barlow refused to put 16-year-old Luke Lucas into the live show stage of the competition after he struggled with his performance in front of the Take That stars at the judges' house.

Speaking tot he Daily Mail, both Barlow and Williams said they thought he was “too young” to cope with the pressure.

"Sixteen is just too young to be in this competition with this kind of pressure, but some 16-year-olds are more mature than others. Luke is just too young,” Barlow said.

"I have a responsibility here as well. It was too much for him - no wonder he cracked under the pressure."

Williams said: "I do think 16 is a bit young but when you get an opportunity you just grab it. If it was my son or daughter I don't think I would be pushing them that early."

Despite the pair's concerns, there are 16-year-olds – Janet Devlin and Amelia Lily – through to the final sixteen.

An X Factor spokesman told the Sun: "All contestants are judged and assessed individually. If any of our younger contestants is deemed too immature to deal with the pressures of the competition they are advised to re-apply in future years.

"Contestants are aged 16 and over, therefore there is no requirement for a chaperone. However, younger contestants are accompanied at all times by a responsible adult at bootcamp and judges' houses."