Sting isn’t very impressed with Simon Cowell’s reality singing competition show, The X Factor. The Brit rocker recently told London’s Evening Standard: “It is a soap opera which has nothing to do with music. In fact, it has put music back decades.”

Although The X Factor has already produced an international sensation in singer Leona Lewis — whose debut album Spirit received three Grammy nominations –Sting doesn’t think the world’s next musical superstars can be found on British television.

And he has no problem telling Simon so.

“I am sorry but none of those kids are going to go anywhere, and I say that sadly. They are humiliated when they get sent off,” the rocker ranted. “How appalling for a young person to feel that rejection. It is a soap opera which has nothing to do with music. In fact, it has put music back decades. Television is very cynical,” Sting continued.

“I tried to keep an open mind, but basically I was looking at televised karaoke where they conform to stereotypes. They are either Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston or [Irish boy band] Boyzone and are not encouraged to create any real unique signature or fingerprint. That cannot come from TV,” he said. “The ‘X Factor’ is a preposterous show and you have judges who have no recognizable talent apart from self-promotion, advising them what to wear and how to look. It is appalling.”

Cowell has defended his program, which is rumored to be heading stateside in the coming years.

“Talking about these contestants being a bunch of karaoke no-hopers … I thought it was pompous,” he told PEOPLE, before inviting Sting to come on the show as a mentor.