[Red Moon]

Rhydian: 2nd but I’ve got deal!

ODDBALL opera star Rhydian Roberts will still sign a megabucks record deal with Simon Cowell – despite coming second, The Sun can reveal.

The move comes as X Factor viewers claimed the Welsh singer was ROBBED because voting lines were jammed.

Thousands of Rhydian fans called ITV to vote for Rhydian, 25, on Saturday night’s final - but all they got was a busy signal.

One fan, Emma Newton, said: “I tried and tried and tried to vote for Rhydian and the phone was constantly engaged.”

Samuel Legg, from Yeovil, Somerset, added: "I could not vote for Rhydian even after trying hundreds of times and constantly checking I had dialled the correct number.

“If the voting was close and one could not get through, were there enough lines? Was there some form of miscarriage?”

But a show spokeswoman last night denied any conspiracy, saying: "Both acts had the same number of lines available for fans to call.”

Stardom

She added there had been reports of problems with Virgin Media calls, but this had nothing to do with the show’s voting system. Rhydian – who last night fled to London to be with his parents – was the favourite to win the show and only lost by a few thousand votes.

Just before he and Leon sang the winner’s song, there was just one per cent difference between them.

But despite failing to win Rhydian is set for recording deal of his own.

The star, 25, has been in talks with Cowell for the past few days about signing for Sony BMG.

The deal would be done for at least one album – and could include the US.

Simon is desperate to sign the singer before he lands a role with Andrew Lloyd Webber to play The Phantom of the Opera in a sequel to the West End musical.

Rhydian said: “Andrew and I have communicated. My ambition is to play the Phantom at the end of next year.”

An insider said: “Simon is relaxed about Rhydian doing Phantom but he wants to make sure he gets his record deal done first.

“That way Andrew Lloyd Webber has to work around Simon rather than the other way round.”

Simon is also weighing up offering a deal to third-placed Same Difference.

Source: The Sun

[XxShortyxX]

Awww cool, Good luck to Rydian.

[supernoodles!]

Yay go Rhydian

[Nicky.]

whoo !
Go Rhydian! =)

Hope SD get a contract 2 !

[Harry!]

I wanted him to WIN the xfactor and be whiten down in the history books..

[MarkWaldorf]

Just SD news to wait for now.

[supernoodles!]

yay!!great news
i love rhydian so glad hes deffinetly getting a deal,i knew he would anyway though

[Ruth*Star]

Oh Cool, Good for him, he tottally deserves it.

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by MarkChap©
Just SD news to wait for now.

Dont hold your breath.

This is great news for Rhydian. It was somewhat predictable but never ther less great news.

[BigSister]

thats good news well done rhydian

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by GiRTh

Dont hold your breath.

This is great news for Rhydian. It was somewhat predictable but never ther less great news.

And you told me to grow up.

[Sam!]

Originally posted by MarkChap©
Just SD news to wait for now.

Will prob from Andrew Lloyd Webber or sumins lol

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by Funky Sam

Will prob from Andrew Lloyd Webber or sumins lol

I don't care who it's from, all the matters is that SD enjoy doing it and do what they want do, be positive role models for kids. I couldn't care if it was Butlins, I'd go and see them.

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by MarkChap©

And you told me to grow up.

Whats the problem here? I dont think SD will get any kind of substantial deal. They might get a gig hosting a children TV programmme, but I dont see much more. Hence, I'm telling you not to hold your breath. What are you trying to imply? Are you getting personal again?