[Red Moon]

Mum: My Rhyd's not arrogant

FLAMBOYANT Rhydian Roberts’ mum has blasted claims that her X Factor star son is arrogant.

Rhydian, 25, was accused early in the show of having an ego problem.

But mum Angela said: “It isn’t arrogance, he just has a lot of self-confidence and believes in himself.

“I would always tell my sons, ‘stand tall and believe in who you are’ and I think they have carried that with them.

“Whatever Rhydian does he wants to do his absolute best. But he isn’t arrogant, I am his mother and I get to see his more insecure side, when he is nervous about his performances.

“He certainly doesn’t think he is better than the other contestants, he thinks everyone in X Factor is really talented.”

Opera singer Rhydian has become the X Factor’s resident oddball thanks to his bizarre swept-back peroxide blond hairdo and flashy outfits.

But Angela, 56, has revealed that her son has emerged as a style icon.

She said: “I have heard that people have been going into hairdressing salons and asking for a ‘Rhydian’. I can’t believe it.”

Angela, who remembers Rhydian when he was a podgy little boy with ginger hair, said: “As a teenager he became more conscious of his appearance and hated having ginger hair and being overweight. So he started dying his hair and set out on a rigorous exercise programme.

“Now he exercises for an hour or two every day. He’s very disciplined and takes his health very seriously.”

Angela revealed that he excelled at sport, particularly rugby, and he once dreamed of playing for Wales.

But even she admits Rhydian's quest for perfection sometimes makes him do eccentric things. In winter he goes everywhere in a black balaclava to avoid colds.

Angela said: “He sees his voice as his instrument and he wants to protect it. So he cycles everywhere in a balaclava.”

Source: The Sun