Rhydian: 'Dannii is best 'X Factor' judge'

Rhydian Roberts has claimed that Dannii Minogue is the best judge on The X Factor this year.

The singer, who reached the final in 2007, insisted that his former mentor puts more effort into looking after her acts than the other judges on the ITV1 show.

"I'm very fond of Dannii, I'm so proud of her this year, she's coming across so well. She's the best judge by a long mile this year," he told Digital Spy.

"I think she looks fantastic and the effort she puts in every week really pays off. She's a really classy chick and has always been supportive."

The 26-year-old added that he still remains in close contact with both Minogue and Simon Cowell, who gave him a record contract after he came second in the show.

"She drops me a text to see how I'm doing when she's in Wales, saying 'Hey darl, I'm in Wales, wanna meet up?'

"It means a lot because she is a mentor in every sense of the word. She text me this morning saying she looks forward to hearing the album because she heard it was great. I have a lot of time for her."

Rhydian releases second album O Fortuna on November 30.

> Click here to watch our full interview with Rhydian