Pop Idol boss says the show's not a fix

Pop Idol bosses have denied the show has been fixed for Gareth Gates to win.

Executive producer Richard Holloway told a British tabloid the winner was entirely down to the public to choose.

He was asked how it could be fair when the judges had such vested interests.

But Mr Holloway said: "The judges give opinions, but people at home will decide who they like best.

"It's a public vote. The great thing about it being live is that you can't fix it.

Mr Holloway also fended off criticisms that phone lines were so busy not everyone could get through.

"The show gets more phone votes than any in the UK. Six million voted last Saturday night on 28,000 lines. We get a surge after the show," he said.