Totally agree, it's like he's afraid to upset them. Just tell them, Gary.... "you're shyte!"
I've been watching it recently (despite calling people who watch it, morons) and it really is cringeworthy.
I laughed at your dads comments... as mine says pretty much the same.
I do honestly think they must sound much much better than what we're hearing at home. There's no other explanation for it!
I stopped following X factor when I heard someone murder my favorite song of all time, and then Simon Cowell told them it was better than the original.... by Frank Sinatra. Better than Sinatra?!!