[Kaz]

Story from Ananova

Fame Academy runner-up Sinead Quinn has signed a £1million record deal.

She's been signed by Mercury Records, which will also manage the programme's winner David Sneddon.

Sinead will release her debut single I Can't Break Down on February 10.

A spokesman for Mercury Records told The Sun: "During Sinead's time in the Academy, her tutors were impressed with her raw vocal talent, songwriting and musicianship.

"We are really looking forward to making sure she becomes a real star."

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I'm really pleased for Sinead, and think she has a great future ahead of her.

However . . . . . . . . . . if this is 100% correct (notice it comes from The Sun!!) then it smacks of the 'Pop Idol' scenario. All through the series the gullible public are told they're voting for one 'Winner Takes All' - which they do - and then as soon as the series is over, the record company snaps up the runner-up too!

Just a personal observation.