X Factor - Rhydian Roberts' tear factor
21 December 2007 - 'The X Factor's Rhydian Roberts has confessed he cried when he found out he had lost.
The Welsh baritone singer lost to Leon Jackson by 1% in the final of the show on Saturday (15.12.07) and confessed that he did get over-emotional.
Rhydian told Real Radio Wales' breakfast show: "I was really disappointed. I actually shed a tear."
The 24-year-old also denied he had said the voting was fixed, but insists a technical fault on the phones caused him to lose out.
He said: "I can categorically say that I have not said it was a fix. I've stayed well clear - it's not what I believe.
"The only disappointing thing for us as a family was that they got my dad's age wrong. They said he was 60, so he's livid. He's only 58.
"It's Leon's week and he should be celebrating and I don't want people coming up to me saying 'you were robbed', although it's nice. I didn't want to pull focus, I wish him luck.
"How I see it is, it's obviously a technical fault on the night, and it might have affected all three competitors. I can't really complain."
Reason to smile
Rhydian still has a reason to smile. Despite losing the show he has signed an exclusive £1 million deal with 'The X Factor' judge and music mogul Simon Cowell.
A source said: "Rhydian is thrilled to have got a record deal. He knew he would get something out of appearing on 'The X Factor'.
"Simon told him he really has the potential to go far in the industry."
It emerged today (21.12.07) that Rhydian even had the backing of Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The Prime Minister reportedly sent Rhydian a personal letter of support before the final on Saturday (15.12.07), and has since taken a "personal interest" in the allegations that the result was fixed.
Rhydian's mother Angela told Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "Rhydian was very surprised to get the letter from Gordon Brown, especially because you might think with Gordon being Scottish, he'd have been rooting for Leon, who is Scottish too.
"We had no idea he was watching 'The X Factor' but Rhydian said it was a very nice note wishing him well."
Brown has previously admitted being a fan of the show, stating: "I see great talent being given a chance to develop itself on 'The X Factor'."
(C) BANG Media International
