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Rhydian blasts Leon hit

RHYDIAN Roberts has slammed X Factor winner Leon Jackson’s debut single as it today looked set to be Christmas number one.

The Scot stunned the nation last weekend after beating bookies’ favourite Rhydian in a shock TV phone vote.

But last night, as the 18-year-old prepared to top the charts with his debut single When You Believe, runner-up Rhydian blasted the smash hit.

His outburst comes as TV watchdog Ofcom probes a staggering 2,500 complaints from fans who claim they were unable to vote for Rhydian because of jammed phone lines.
Leon has been on a whirlwind tour of the UK all week.

But as the 18-year-old notches up an estimated 300,000 sales to win the race for the coveted Christmas number one slot, his Welsh rival Rhydian has told how he is ready to sign his own deal with Simon Cowell’s record label Sony/BMG.

When asked if he had bought Leon’s single, Rhydian, 24, from Sennybridge, Powys, said: “No. I don’t particularly like the song to be honest. I didn’t like my version either.

“In fact I’m kind of glad I didn’t win because my rendition would have got slated, I reckon.”

Some Welsh radio stations even imposed a ban on Leon’s song in protest – which was only lifted at the request of Rhydian’s family.

But despite the fall-out, Rhydian – who is to become an ambassador of Glamorgan county cricket club – insists he and Leon are still good mates.

He said: “Me and Leon get on relatively well. I was happy for him. I was obviously disappointed that I didn’t win, but it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

“I was a bit gutted at the time but I’m looking forward to the future – things are in the pipeline. First and foremost I’m going on holiday with my family to Mexico.”

Following his holiday, Rhydian is expected to sign on the dotted line for a £1m album deal with Simon Cowell.

But he may also have to decide whether to pursue an advance made by West End legend Sir Andrew Webber, who rang Rhydian following last week’s final.

Sir Andrew, who is said to be eyeing Rhydian for the lead in the new Broadway sequel of his smash Phantom of the Opera, has already said that Rhydian would make a “fantastic Phantom”.

Rhydian said: “Things are going to be announced in the near future. It wasn’t such a bad thing losing. There could well be a contract coming up.”
But he admitted he would have to weigh up an offer from Sir Andrew carefully.

He said: “I would love to play a role in one of his shows but whether the record company have a different plan... usually what happens is you become a recording artist first.”

Wales on Sunday can also reveal how the Welsh Rugby Union is keen for him to sing the national anthem ahead of the Wales v Scotland Six Nations match at the Millennium Stadium in February.

Rhydian’s uncle Nigel Roberts said: “I spoke to the WRU an hour before Rhydian went on to the X-Factor final, and they wished him all the very best.

“They said they are very happy to sit down with us and talk to us about Rhydian singing in the Stadium in the New Year.”

The offer came about after Wales on Sunday told WRU chief executive Roger Lewis that Rhydian wanted to fly the flag for Wales ahead of the match.

Mr Roberts said: “It was a great result and I was very happy Wales on Sunday brokered that conversation.

“It is one of Rhydian’s ambitions to sing at the Millennium Stadium because he’s such a proud Welshman and it’s one of his all-time goals.

“They haven’t put their itineraries together but the WRU do want to talk to Rhydian with a view to him singing. “Ideally that meeting would take place as soon as possible in January.”

And in a nod to Leon, Mr Roberts said he’d like to see Rhydian sing ahead of the crucial match.

He said: “That’s the ideal one because, obviously, it’s Wales and Scotland. That would be particularly sweet, wouldn’t it?”

Source: icWales