Simon Cowell has taken aim at rival show The Voice.

The X Factor judge, who is currently reviewing hopefuls, told one such contestant they should rather try auditioning for The Voice.

The premise of The Voice is to judge a contestant on their vocal prowess alone and not on their appearance, with judges choosing their favourites without initially seeing them. Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton form the all-star panel for the US show.

After the singer performed, judge on the panel L.A. Reid said: "If you decide to try out again, please do it on another show."

Simon added: "Yes, the good news is I hear The Voice auditions are happening next week."

Cowell has previously said he doesn’t understand the show’s concept and he thinks the US show is just a “bad copy” of his show.

He said: "That show [The Voice] puzzles me because it starts off and 'it's all about the voice'. So my first thought is: 'Why isn't this on radio?' because what's the point in looking at them.

"Then suddenly I'm watching it a week or two weeks ago and it's the same as The X Factor. They've got dancers behind them, graphics, lights. Same show.

"I see a lot of shows trying to rip us off. If you try and rip somebody off it always looks like a bad copy."

Newcomers Britney Spears and Demi Lovato have joined Cowell and Reid in the star line-up for the second series.

The X Factor auditions began in Texas last week.