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Red Moon · 17-12-2007, 12:25 PM

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The night Rhydian Roberts was robbed

S A nation, Wales has seen its fair share of grave injustices – the Treachery of the Blue Books; the trial of Dic Penderyn; the 1978 loss to New Zealand after Andy Haden’s Oscar-winning lineout dive.

And now we can add another “it’s just not fair” moment to the history books… The Night Rhydian Was Robbed.

The belting baritone with the snowy bouffant was in a different class than his rivals in The X Factor final. Spooky siblings Same Difference sewed up the under-10s vote the second they were yanked 20 feet in the air to sprinkle stardust on the Christmas tree. While they were having their wires pulled, nice but dull crooner Leon was tugging on the heartstrings with tearful video packages featuring his extended family in various states of distress.

But Sennybridge’s finest eschewed gimmicks and sob stories and let his powerful voice do the talking. The former captain of Llandovery College 1st XV kicked off with a spine-tingly rendition of O Holy Night. While Kylie Minogue encased her entire body in a pair of lace nylons to deflect attention from Leon’s less than captivating vocals, Rhydian complemented Katherine Jenkins perfectly in a classy duet. You Raise Me Up, they trilled in perfect harmony, lifting the hopes of the home nation.

His reprise of Somewhere gained a standing ovation from the judges. Even Sharon’s botoxed features were attempting to crease with emotion. And when given the truly abysmal ballad the show inflicted on the final contestants, his passionate interpretation made it sound like a half decent song.

Surely our Rhyd was home and dry – the first X Factor contestant to combine superb vocal skills with a genuine quirky charisma. Even the Mr Whippy-style barnet had grown into part of his appeal – several kids screaming support in Cardiff City Hall were sporting his trademark quiff. But sadly the boy they called “The Rhydler” could not unravel one of the most depressing enigmas of British popular entertainment – why talent does not necessarily win you talent shows.

The problem with The X Factor is it’s not a talent show – it’s a soap. The back story is all. Your chances of winning are significantly increased if you can underscore your warblings with a tragic account of (delete as applicable) being bullied/raised by struggling single mum/dreaming of escape via record deal while stacking shelves in Topman.

Ultimately, Rhydian was penalised for having a stable family background and coming from a nice farmhouse in Sennybridge. The production team were obviously so worried about his lack of tear-jerking potential in the beginning that they created a role for him, casting him as the show villain. But he soon outgrew the Marmite tag and revealed himself to be a decent, articulate and dignified young guy. Unlike many X Factor wannabees, he didn’t rely on the odd karaoke stint to hone his baritone. Reality shows sell youngsters a dream of instant success without graft, but Rhydian has put himself through seven years of classical training.

X Factor talent is also at the mercy of the interactive public, which, unfortunately in this case, features a disproportionately large number of 14-year-old girls. It would be a great leap forward for British television if the power of the people was removed and judging was left to those who actually know what they’re talking about. This would also cancel out the possibility of technical glitches affecting the result.

While we’re on the subject, I would like someone in ITV to tell me why on the 29 occasions I attempted to vote for Rhydian on Saturday night I only got through once.

But would it have made any difference anyway? The moment that manipulative video of Leon’s weeping friends was shown – complete with a whole advertising break’s worth of extra voting time – Rhydian’s fate was sealed. The nearest the Welshman got to tactical emotional blackmail was letting his fabulously feisty old Great Aunt Lou tell him to “go and win it!”. Keep your Scottish histrionics – that’s what we call the Welsh Way.

And he should take heart. Today’s reality show victor can be tomorrow’s David Sneddon. Runner-up Rhydian has done enough to convince the industry there’s a new star twinkling over Sennybridge. He may have lost The X Factor to a singer with the Zzzzzzz Factor but only time will tell who the real winner is.

Source: icWales

Jackie · 17-12-2007, 03:26 PM

He's still going to be selling records,and he might be around for a little longer than the winner Leon.

Ruth*Star · 17-12-2007, 03:34 PM

I'm 100% sure Rhydian will be around for much much longer than the Zzzz Factor winner will be.

natjake2504 · 17-12-2007, 03:36 PM

Sorry im glad leon won

Jackie · 17-12-2007, 03:55 PM

I quite like Leons record.

GiRTh · 17-12-2007, 03:57 PM

Rhydian still has a future. He'll be around for a while.

:)tom:) · 17-12-2007, 04:06 PM

rhyidian will still be around all he will miss out on is the title of x factor winner. he wil probably sell thousand of more records than leon

MarkWaldorf · 17-12-2007, 04:07 PM

Rhydian didn't deserve it, it should have been either SD or Leon. Rhydian will be signed no matter where he ended up.

GiRTh · 17-12-2007, 05:12 PM

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Originally posted by MarkChap©
Rhydian didn't deserve it, it should have been either SD or Leon. Rhydian will be signed no matter where he ended up.

Isn't that a contradiction. You say he didn't deserve it but then state he will be signed anyway. Surely if he's good enough to be signed then he's a worthy X-Factor winner?

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