Washington, Nov 16 : Music mogul Simon Cowell has hit back at Sting for commenting that American Idol and The X Factor shows are nothing but “televised karaoke”.

Sting, 58, real name Gordon Sumner, had branded the programmes as “appalling” and also accused Cowell, 50, of “humiliating” contestants and degrading the music industry.

The comments left Cowell fuming and during his November 14 appearance on The X Factor, he hit back at Sting by inviting him to impart his knowledge on the show.

“I’m probably going to get into trouble for this. If I may just mention something Sting said in the papers about these contestants and past contestants being a bunch of karaoke no-hopers... I’m going to take exception to that,” Contactmusic quoted him as saying.

“I think this show and other shows have given people like Leona (Lewis) and Susan Boyle a chance. And I’m going to extend an invitation to Sting to come on the show and impart his knowledge,” he added. (ANI)