Former X Factor star Rhydian Roberts has announced he’s leaving Simon Cowell’s record label.

The singer was awarded a contract with Simon’s Cowell record label when he finished in second place on The X Factor in 2007.

He went on to release two albums with Syco, but has now called time on his contract.

“I enjoyed my time in the Cowell Syco-bubble but I’ve always wanted to be taken seriously as a classical singer. And the truth is that Syco is no longer the best label for me,” says Rhydian.



“In creative terms, they don’t have the right approach or experience when it comes to classical music. This is something they would admit themselves. I want to make the sort of album that will launch me on the international stage and, like Russell Watson and Hayley Westenra, appeal to audiences in Asia and Japan.

“The X Factor and Simon Cowell were definitely a good launch pad for me. They changed my life forever. And I’ll always be grateful to the three-and-a-half million people who voted for me.”