[Red Moon]

RHYDIAN POISED FOR X FACTOR VICTORY, BUT SIMON COWELL'S THE REAL WINNER WITH £7.5M PAYDAY

Citing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as his inspiration, and sporting a shock of peroxide blonde hair, he is the most unique finalist in X Factor history.

But Rhydian Roberts, who started the ITV1 reality show as a rank outsider, is heavily tipped to win tomorrow's grand final - and secure himself a £1 million record deal.

The 24-year-old Welshman's distinctive operatic voice and unfailing nerve have made the contest the biggest one horse race in the talent competition's four year history.

Pitted against 18-year-old Scot Leon Jackson and brother and sister duo, Same Difference, more money - £1million nationwide - has been gambled on Rhydian, more than on any other contestant.

Nick Weinberg, a spokesman for bookmakers Ladbrokes who have given Rhydian odds of 1/3, said: "This series has seen the longest coronation in X Factor history. Rhydian Roberts has been the red-hot favourite pretty much from the start.

"If, as is very likely, Rhydian wins the show Christmas number one will inevitably follow. The X Factor and festive top spot go hand-in-hand."

While the victor is virtually guaranteed the coveted Christmas number 1 with the release of their version of Mariah Carey's When You Believe, the programme's real winner, is of course, Simon Cowell.

The 48-year-old judge, who co-produces and owns the rights to the hit show, stands to earn an incredible £7.5million from the series.

As well as paying himself a reported £1.5million for his role as one of four judges - alongside Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue - the music mogul will make a further £6million from record sales as the winner is automatically signed up to his label, Syco.

In addition, the show's two previous winners, Leona Lewis and Shayne Ward, currently occupy the top two positions in the album charts respectively, with Miss Lewis' album the biggest and fastest selling British record of all time.

Indeed, Cowell has netted himself a rather impressive £15million over the past year from the worldwide success of these two artists.

"The X Factor is one of ITV's most successful shows of the year and in Leona and Shayne, it has already produced two of the most popular artists of 2007," Max Clifford, Cowell's publicist, told the Mail.

"Both stars are signed to Simon's record label and both have become international stars with record sales across the world. Whoever wins tonight's show also has the potential to earn him millions.

"Yet again Simon has proved himself to be the man with the platinum touch and out of everyone involved with The X Factor, it is Simon who will be having the merriest Christmas of all."

In tomorrow's grand final, each act will perform three tracks - a Christmas number, their favourite song from the show and a duet alongside guest stars, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Katherine Jenkins.

Rhydian will sing You Raise Me Up alongside the Welsh mezzo soprano, 18-year-old Leon is performing Better The Devil You Know with the Australian star, Dannii's older sister, and Same Difference, made up of Sarah and Sean Smith, will sing Any Dream Will Do alongside the former Joseph star.

The X Factor, which is expected to be watched by around 12 million viewers, will be shown tomorrow at 7.15pm on ITV1, with the results show on at 9.35pm.

Source: This is London

Direct link to the same story: Daily Mail

[Jackie]

Im hoping Rhydian will win tomorrow.With all that money simon will be able to get some more botox

[GiRTh]

This is the reason why Same Difference HAVE to win. Simon's got no chance of them having the kind of career that Leona and Shane have had.