Lucky Boy

Blond, brash, egotistical, arrogant. These are some of the adjectives which have been used to describe Rhydian, Simon Cowell’s controversial protegee.

But Rhydian couldn’t be more polite, enthusiastic and genuinely delighted with his success if he tried.

And given that he was discovered on the X-Factor in 2007, he’s been biding his time, making sure he doesn’t end up as another flash-in-the-pan act. But now it’s time for him to show us what he’s made of.

“I’m really looking forward to this year,” he says. “There is a lot for me to do and achieve, plus the prospects of taking the album worldwide and I’m really excited about that. I’m a lucky boy and I have to pinch myself every day I get up.”

But then Rhydian was hardly picked out of obscurity when he turned up for the X-Factor audition – he had been trying to break into the music business for years.

“It was always my intention to be a performer,” he agrees. “So I went to music school for five years to learn to be a classical singer, and in 15 years time I might have made it in the operatic genre, but I’m an impatient person and wanted to get on with it, so I signed up for the X-Factor,” he explains.

And now doors are opening left, right and centre for Rhydian and not only is his fan base already huge, but his UK tour has nearly sold out. So what is it with the Welsh and the ability to produce these big voices?

“We lose our inhibitions when we sing, and put our hearts and souls into it,” he says, and then laughs. “The simple answer is I don’t know but I’m pleased to even be associated with some of the great Welsh singers.” So has he met Tom Jones yet? “I have spoken to him on a video link because he was in LA. But we are planning a concert together in August, and there is already a connection because my grandfather was his dentist,” Rhydian says.

The 26 year-old has also met The Pussy Cat Dolls and the Princes William and Harry, to name but a few, so is enjoying hob-nobbing with the stars.

But Rhydian has also had to get used to being a recognised face.

“You get accustomed to the fame side of things quite quickly because it’s so intense during the X-Factor, so it’s flattering when you get stopped on the street, and if it takes up more of your time that’s OK, I can cope,” he laughs.

But Rhydian is so theatrical, on stage at least, it must be hard for him to blend into the background.

“You don’t have to go out dressed up to the nines in a performer’s outfit. You can tone it down and not be so flamboyant, so it’s not a big deal.”

So what does Rhydian think he’s got that the others didn’t have?

“It’s all about showmanship and the ability to hold an audience on stage. I think that’s where a lot of these competition winners lose themselves because they dissolve on stage and you have to match your audience.

“But I also have a lot of drive, thick skin, strong instincts because there are always people trying to tell you to do something different, and self belief.

“A great family also helps hugely because I can honestly say that if this all ended tomorrow I would be disappointed but it wouldn’t be the end of the world,” he says. “And I’m really looking forward to coming to Oxford because my first singing teacher is from there so she’s coming along and I want to make her proud.”

Rhydian’s gig at the New Theatre on Monday is sold out.