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Monday December 17, 2007

X Factor runner-up Rhydian Roberts is reportedly set to sign a recording contract with Simon Cowell – despite losing the show to 18-year-old Leon Jackson.

Welsh Rhydian, 24, was favorite to triumph on Saturday night but was beaten by Leon, a former shelf stacker for high-street retailer GAP.

Now, according to reports, multi-millionaire music mogul Cowell is willing to sign Rhydian up to his Syco label, under Sony BMG after seeing the public support the Welsh singer received.

Theater mogul Andrew Lloyd Webber was also said to be impressed by Rhydian’s rendition of The Phantom Of The Opera on an earlier show, he’s also keen to get Rhydian on board with one of his own projects.

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

Simon’s offer is expected to be for one album and could involve an attempt to crack America.

“Simon is relaxed about Rhydian doing Phantom but he wants to make sure he gets his record deal done first,” a source tells British newspaper The Sun. “That way Andrew Lloyd Webber has to work around Simon rather than the other way round.”

Simon, 48, is also reported to be considering offering third place act Same Difference a lucrative recording contract, too.