I understand why people do reality TV talent shows, I just don't think it's good for music. It's karaoke. What three people on a panel perceive as being great vocally, I think, isn't necessarily right.

I think for a lot of new bands, although they have a lot of opportunity, this music business is not giving them a long-term career. I think there's some terrible stuff that comes out and we are bombarded by likes of The X Factor, Pop Idol and all those programs that I don't really like and I don't approve of.

The good thing is that The Human League never really wanted to be in a pop group. We never wanted to be famous. We just liked the music. And I think that's kept us grounded. We're not interested in the celebrity side of anything. We just like getting on stage and doing what we're good at.

The likes of Bob Dylan and David Bowie and probably Elvis Presley or any of the Beatles, none of them would have got through Pop Idol, because they're not conventional. They're not what people think is popular now. I like the individuality in people. I don't want everyone to sound the same.

I think the thing about music is, it's about communication. If you communicate to anyone, whether someone unknown who's a fan or Lady Gaga, I think that always gives you a nice feeling. It's always nice when people say nice things about you. But we tend to think about people as equals.

What better job is there for a 17-year-old girl than being in a pop group?

The whole music industry has completely and totally changed from how it was. It's very, very different. When we started, there were loads of record company people throwing money at musicians, and that did give people a long term career.

I think that's one of the great things about the travel. One day I am at home in Sheffield, the next day I'm playing the Hollywood Bowl. It's extraordinary.

I think a lot of people go in TV talent shows because they want to be famous and not because it's about the music.