Downton Abbey‘s Brendan Coyle has openly criticised the “X Factor generation” blasting all those who believe they were born to be stars.

The bafta-nominated actor, best known for his portrayal of Bates in the ITV1 blockbuster periodic drama, has told the Radio Times that he felt being told he was no good at the age of 13 helped him become a better actor, and that  he had always dreamed of following in the footsteps of his great-uncle, Sir Matt Busby, the famous Manchester United manager, by becoming a footballer!

Speaking to the magazine, Coyle said: “Luckily I was told by the age of 13 that I wasn’t good enough. That’s not a bad thing. You see this X Factor generation of kids now who don’t accept that they’re not good enough.”

He went on to discuss the attention he has received since joining the cast of Downton, and the label he has earned of ‘sex-symbol’, saying:  “The strangest thing is where the fan mail comes from.

“I’ve had letters from an outpost in Alaska, New Zealand… it’s the breadth of it that really blows my mind.”

Speaking of his hopes for the future, Coyle told the magazine how he has a desire to  “posh up a bit” for future roles, commenting: “I’ve never been in a Noel Coward play but I’d love to be. After Downton I was offered the chance to play a lot of moody men.”

Watch a clip from “Downton Abbey:  Behind the Drama” with Coyle below: