X Factor - Rhydian Roberts rumoured for Phantom sequel

Rhydian Roberts is allegedly being mooted to star in a sequel to Phantom of the Opera.
Rhydian, who is probably now best known as the white-haired Welsh warbler who came second in this year's X Factor series.

He not only sang the title song of the musical on the show, but also made an entrance to an instrumental version while being introduced by his mentor Dannii Minogue.

Although casting for the sequel is yet to be confirmed, Rhydian "is being lined up" for a role in the show.

Rhydian has spoken to "Andrew Lloyd Webber and says, "I just hope that one day I can be in one of his shows.

"Nothing's set in stone yet, but my ambition is to play the Phantom 2 at the end of next year."

Many fans of Rhyd were disappointed when he lost out in the X Factor final to Leon Jackson, who went on to score the Christmas number one single, When You Believe.

Some viewers complained that they had not been able to vote for Rhydian although they phoned the correct number.

Police step up security as X Factor star opens street bash

EXTRA security has been drafted in to the stage where X Factor winner Leon Jackson will perform as he opens this year's Hogmanay street party.

Police are predicting an upsurge in revellers at the Waverley Stage as they flock to watch one of the 18-year-old's first live performances since the TV show.

More than 300 police officers and 400 fully-trained stewards will be looking after the 100,000 people expected to take part in the Princes Street celebrations.

And details of the 48 roads which will be closed to accommodate the street party are today published to help revellers plan their route into the city centre.

LEON Jacksons early festive present - by storming to the Christmas No1.

The celebrating Scotsman sent a Christmas card inviting the Bizarre crew to toast his success after selling 275,742 copies of When You Believe in less than a week. It's quite an achievement for the X Factor winner, especially as iTunes collapsed moments after the song was posted on the site. The West Lothian crooner, who is 19 on December 30, said: “It’s the best Christmas and birthday present ever. Having the Christmas No1 is an amazing ending to an amazing year. I’m thrilled. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me.” His X Factor mentor Dannii Minogue said: “It’s amazing to have been part of The Leon King’s success story.” Leon's hit is the third year in a row that an X Factor winner has got the top Christmas slot.

Leon Jackson wins 2007 X Factor

Leon Jackson. Rhydian came close second and Same difference came 3rd. Leon Jackson was the surprise winner of the reality TV show The X Factor. The 18-year old from West Lothian unexpectedly beat the Welsh baritone Rhydian Roberts, who was favourite to win the show. The Gap sales assistant, who was brought up by a single mother, was supported by the Minogue sisters. He performed a duet of Better the Devil You Know with Kylie, (Pics here) Minogue"p and was mentored on the show by her sister Dannii. Leon now receives a £1m recording contract, and bookies predict that his new single "When You Believe" will top the Christmas charts. financially.

X Factor prepares for huge final.

Each finalist will do a duet, and Leon seems to have drawn the longest straw by being matched with the sexy Kylie Minogue. Same Difference will be singing with Kylie's ex, Jason Donovan, and Rhydian will be performing with opera star Katherine Jenkins.
It's an interesting and great idea. Will it work for or against Leon to be matched with the most famous of the three stars? Will Kylie outshine the young Scot and expose his still unconquered nerves or will she make his performance the most memorable? We shall soon find out!!

X Factor's Leona goes Big in USA

X Factor winner Leona Lewis is set to Smash the American charts, after dominating the British ones. There have been thousands of pre orders for her album, Spirit in America, and it's not even being released there until next March. "Leona's Bleeding Love video on the net has had millions of views after only a month, and the comments on them are from a worldwide audience. The American interest is Massive and there's a lot of excitement surrounding Leona release out there. Americans love her clean image and big ballad vocals. There's even rumours of a duet with Whitney! In the UK, the X Factor winner's album sold more than a quarter of a million copies in its first week.

X Factor Niki rejects suicide pact with husband

X Factor reject Niki was voted off the show last night, has revealed the details of her and her husband’s bizarre suicide pact. The couple both agreed that if one dies, the other will follow suit by committing suicide. Niki, 35, has been with her husband Darren for 18 years. They have two sons, Morgan, 12, and Jonah, 11. Details of Niki’s pact comes only a week after X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne revealed she has a similar agreement with her husband Ozzy. “I had no idea Sharon had that pact, I thought it up first,” said Niki, who was booted off the TV talent contest in a shock result last night. The grim pact was made after a number of deaths in Niki and Darren’s family.