X Factor - Hope rates Rhydian

5 December 2007 - Axed girl-band Hope has given its support to Welsh warbler Rhydian Roberts as X Factor enters its final stages.

The five members, who were booted out of the competition last week, told the Sun they are rooting for foghorn-voiced Rhydian to win.

Describing him as a "nice" and "humble" guy, the girls said they really want him to take home the million-pound recording contract.

"You can't get a nicer person and he is a super singer," Racquelle Gracie said.

"We really want him to win," Leah Lavender added.

While Hope had nice things to say about the platinum blonde soloist, they admitted that Louis Walsh will not be high on their Christmas card lists this year.

They said it was unfair for Louis to mock Dannii Minogue recently when he implied that she had no right to say Niki Evans had sung out of tune.

"It was uncalled for," Leah added. "I'd like to see Louis up there doing it."

Meanwhile, last year's X Factor winner Leona Lewis had even more reason to celebrate this week when her album and single remained at the top of the UK charts.

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