X Factor Rhydian: 'Prince Charles is a fan' Rhydian was the novelty operatic contestant on last year's series of The X Factor. Subjected to derision by Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne, Roberts was dressed up as Liberace and forced to sing songs such as Go West and Phantom Of The Opera. He later came second to Leon Jackson. His debut album, Rhydian, is out now.
Were you gutted you didn’t win The X Factor?I was. I really wanted to win, it’s a competition but coming second doesn’t seem to have made much difference. I went on the show to get a record contract and I’ve got one.
Did Leon only win because he’s Scottish?I can't say that. I'm sure everyone in Scotland voted for him the same as people in Wales voted for me.
Hasn't the programme just become a ludicrous soap opera full to the brim with tragic cases?I haven't watched it this year because I've been so busy but I've heard it's pretty soap opera-esque. I didn't have a story because I just wanted to sing. I guess they made a story out of me though, turning me into a villain. Maybe they include sob stories so people can relate to the contestants.
Do the mentors actually do anything?My mentor was Dannii and she was really hands on. She met up with us, phoned us and had a lot of input into the song choices. She was really competitive off-camera and really wanted to win last year.
When they made you dress up as Liberace, did you suspect they were exposing you to public ridicule?I approached that show as the Saturday night entertainment show it is. There's no point doing it unless you're going to be entertaining, so I didn't mind putting on a sequined outfit and performing. It was all with a view to getting a record contract and showing who I really am.
Do you own any Dannii Minogue records?No, I was really into Oasis, Blur and Ocean Colour Scene when I was younger. I was a boy soprano, so I liked classical music, too.
Where did your unusual hairstyle come from?It was created by Ben, who's done my hair since I was at university. It's still white, just not as big as it was on The X Factor.
What's the worst gig you've ever done?When I was at Birmingham Uni, I starred in the production of Guys And Dolls and sang some of the songs in the university club at 1am on a Saturday night to promote the show. It didn't go down well. I can see why I got heckled but I haven't done another student gig since.
What are the better ones?I met Prince Charles after a gig recently. He said: 'You were terribly unlucky you didn't win.' He later invited me to become a patron of the Prince's Trust, which I've accepted.
Are you worried everyone will forget about you when the new X Factor winner is announced?Not really, I've got an album to promote. I've got an opportunity to be a successful recording artist, so I'm concentrating on that.
Have fans sent you anything weird in the post?No, but a fan has sponsored a baby gorilla in Africa on my behalf. I get sent underwear, the usual stuff, but Amy the gorilla was a cool gift.
What's the worst job you've ever had?Carving beef at an agricultural show in Wales when I was 17. It was unbearably hot and I did it for a month. It was just carving beef from 9am 'til 7pm. My hands got blisters and I was only getting £2.50 an hour.
How old were when you found out Santa Claus didn't exist?My grandmother told me when I was seven. She said: 'You know Santa Claus doesn't exist don't you?' I was gutted. I think it was just a ploy to save her money. It was lunacy. There was my gran saying: 'Just to let you know, it's all bulls***.' It ruined the magic of Christmas for me.
Have you met Tom Jones?I've never met him but my grandad was his doctor. I'm supposed to be doing a show with him next year, which should be great.
Metro
