[Red Moon]

RHYDIAN'S NAZI SURPRISE

Finalist Rhydian Roberts dresses as a Nazi stormtrooper in a photograph he would rather forget.

The Welsh opera singer asked to be cast as a Nazi after losing out in auditions for the lead part in a university production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

The 24-year-old singer dressed as a Nazi to play Pontius Pilate - the Roman governor who ordered Jesus's crucifixion.

Rhydian, who is being mentored by judge Dannii Minogue on the ITV talent search, clashed with cast mates about the size of Pilate's role in the 2005 play. A Birmingham University pal said: "Rhyd has a real God complex and was furious at not being cast as Jesus. He thought he was by far the best for the part, but the director thought that wasn't the case.

"So Rhydian kept arguing Pontius Pilate should have a bigger part. He kept improvising during rehearsals. The director wanted Pilate to be camp, but Rhyd took it to an extreme to get attention from the audience. He skipped about the stage and sang loudly in a pristine Nazi uniform. He certainly got laughs - he was the perfect pompous baddie."

Rhydian is the most controversial contestant in this year's X Factor. He turned up three hours late for one rehearsal, and has been accused of being arrogant and aloof. Sharon Osbourne has described him as "revolting" and said she wanted to kill him for being "too confident".

His mentor Dannii Minogue compared him to Marmite by saying: "You either love him or you hate him."

Source:Sunday Mirror