Former X Factor finalist Niki Evans has blasted the talent competition as "ageist".
The 36-year-old, who was mentored by Louis Walsh in the over-25s category in 2007, said she believed no older woman was ever likely to win the show.
Niki, who has since carved out a West End career, said: "I will eat my hat if an over-25 woman ever wins The X Factor."
The singer, who released a new single on Tuesday, said: "Age is a horrible, horrible thing to have to go through. But I was very lucky, touch wood.
"I'd be very surprised if an over-25 woman ever won it. It's not just ageist, it's sexist as well, because you get the little cute boys, and since the four age groups have come in - because it's over-25s, it's groups, under-25 boys and under-25 girls - since that, it's got much, much worse because you're getting twice the amount of young people coming through."
Niki, who has just released her cover of Donna Summer's hit I Feel Love, believes the show's new audition format with a live audience had made it easier for contestants.
She said: "It's a lot easier now, isn't it? You get backing tracks, you get a big audience, so I don't think it's as scary as walking into one room with four people staring at you with no music, so I think it's a lot easier these days."
The BBC has also been involved in an ageism row concerning its talent show Strictly Come Dancing.
Judge Arlene Phillips, 66, was dropped as a judge and replaced by Alesha Dixon, 30, which many fans complained was based on age considerations.
© Press Association