A businessman has criticised reality TV shows Big Brother and the X Factor for creating false hope among North-East youngsters.

James Ramsbotham, regional chairman of the Learning and Skills Council, said reality shows did not represent real life and teenagers would better improve their chances in life by sticking in at school.

The comments by Mr Ramsbotham, who is vice-chairman of Durham construction company the Esh Group, follow a survey which showed that 16 per cent of youngsters are convinced they would be famous - and that 15 per cent would drop out of school if they had the chance to appear on TV.

Encouraged by the celebrity status of talent show contestants such as Hell's Kitchen cook Terry Miller, from Newcastle; X Factor finalists Journey South, from Middlesbrough; Pop Idol contestant Zoe Birkett, from Darlington; and Pop Stars: The Rivals singer Cheryl Tweedy, from Newcastle, who found fame with Girls Aloud, the survey found that 13 per cent of the region's teenagers admit they are "waiting to be discovered".

The reality, says Mr Ramsbotham, is that the odds of being picked for Big Brother and going on to stardom are about 30,000,000-1 - worse odds than the 14,000,000-1 chance of winning a Lotto jackpot.

Mr Ramsbotham said: "TV shows like Big Brother and X Factor give young people false hope. For many young people, trying to be famous through reality TV is tempting, particularly if they are unsure what direction they want their lives to take. The truth is, the majority will not achieve fame."