A familiar target for derision by people in the music community, acerbic producer Simon Cowell's The X Factor will be officially lampooned in a spoof musical set to debut in London in 2014.

Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment, which produces The X Factor, announced it is teaming with West End producers for an "irreverent and anarchic" musical called X Factor — It's Time to Face the Musical.

The production is billed as an "affectionate poke" at the TV singing contest and a love story between a heroine with a talking dog and a ukulele-playing plumber.

"X Factor — It’s Time To Face The Musical! goes behind the microphone and under the judges’ desk to reveal the (not necessarily accurate) story of heartache and laughter that keeps millions tuning in every week," the producers said in a statement.

Award-winning British comedian Harry Hill will write the musical, which will feature 19 new songs by composer Steve Brown and be directed by Sean Foley. A West End theatre to host the musical and casting information has yet to be announced.

Cowell, who rose to fame as the highly critical judge on Pop Idol and then American Idol, left the franchise to focus on his rival show The X Factor.

His TV talent contests (he also created Britain's Got Talent and its American offshoot) have produced a host of singers who have topped the charts and set sales records. At the same time, he's been blasted by many in the music industry for producing an endless stream of formulaic acts.