The X-Factor stinks

As if in some laboratory demonstration of the ease with which a fool and money can be put asunder, they're launching an X-Factor perfume. You and I might think this would be the stink of desperation, but the Fragrance Shop says not:

A spokeswoman for the store said: "Since the talent show phenomenon first launched there has been massive debate about just what constitutes the X factor and more importantly who has it, and now it's been bottled for everyone."

The Fragrance Shop is, of course, to perfumiers what those stores with large, scoopable tubs of off-brand breakfast cereals and dried fruit are to the Harrods Food Hall, but even for them this is stretching it a bit.

As James P pointed out when he brought this festive-market product to our attention:

So that's that settled then. When Simon Cowell says he's looking for someone with the X factor, what he means is 'someone who smells of repackaged Jade Goody perfume'.

Oh, and there's also this: "Maker ScentUps claims the scent will help fans become 'part of the excitement and glamour of becoming a pop star'". Bottles are priced at £12.99 each, so presumably when they say "become part of the glamour of becoming a pop star", the pop star in question is Lisa Scott Lee.

Although 'smells of repackaged Jade Goody' does pretty much sum up Shayne Ward, if you ask us.