Rhydian: 'Producers told me what to say'

Former X Factor runner-up Rhydian Roberts has claimed that the show's producers encouraged him to make 'arrogant' comments on the programme.

The Welsh singer proved to be a controversial figure in the early stages of last year's competition after speaking about his aspirations in recorded VT clips for the show.

Roberts has now admitted that the experience was worthwhile as he was eventually snapped up by Simon Cowell's Syco record label, despite losing out to Leon Jackson in the final.

"Apparently I was the most interesting person in the competition, despite not having a sob story, but only because they made me out to be an arrogant w****r," Rhydian told the Daily Mail.

"I had to sit in front of a camera for two hours being told what to say. They said: 'You're not going through to the final unless you say this.' Things like, 'Yeah, I want to be knighted', and 'Yeah, I've got the X factor'. I'd say, 'I don't want to say that. It's cringy'.

"But I had to or I didn't go through. I knew the final was my route to get to Simon and, God, am I glad I did."

Roberts will return to The X Factor for a guest performance on November 22. His self-titled debut album will be released two days later.