[Arneldo]

Ray Quinn and Ben Mills are due to go head-to-head in an X Factor chart run-off.

Quinn is set to release his first album of swing songs on March 12 while Mills has also named that as the date for his debut release. Both were runners-up to Leona Lewis in last year's series of the reality show.

They are currently hurrying to get long-playing releases out as soon as possible - Quinn recording in Los Angeles and Mills in West London’s Olympic Studios.

Both have signed to Sony BMG prompting suspicion that the label thinks a chart run-off will boost sales for both acts.

“Ben is excited about getting a deal and is thrilled to be recording in Olympic Studios. He can’t quite believe it," a source told The Sun. “He has been working hard writing songs since the show finished and some of them will be on the album. He’s so thrilled he’s even agreed to chop his hair off!”

The source added: “Ben didn’t realise the plan was to put his album out on the same day as Ray’s but he will relish the challenge of another showdown with him.”

DS