Reading between the lines:

X Factor judge Simon Cowell has said he wants to run a series of "prime time" TV debates on key political issues ahead of the next general election.

The music impresario told the BBC he wanted to create a "bear pit" atmosphere, with a live studio audience and viewers voting via telephone.

Which means: "I'm not getting enough attention! No-one takes X Factor seriously! I want to become a champion of democracy!" As long as we want to cheapen democracy even further than it has been by over 12 years of Nu Labour rule.

Gordon Brown's spokesman said he welcomed attempts to promote democracy.

He added that Mr Cowell and others would be encouraged to offer ideas.

Which means: "ha ha ha ha ha. Very funny, Simon. But I've seen the X Factor. And if you think I'm going to be involved in anything like that, you must be fucking stupid. So you can take your idea, and shove it right up your arsehole."

And for once, I'd side with Gordon Brown - that is, as long as he makes it clear that Simon Cowell is a shameless, self-promoting wanker who has about as much interest in democracy in this country as Rupert Murdoch or some other profit obsessed businessman.