Cowell brands singer 'most conceited ever'

X Factor judge Simon Cowell has branded a Welsh hopeful "the most conceited person" he has ever met.

Opera singer Rhydian Roberts is one of 40 boys competing for 12 places at the show's boot camp at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire.

The 25-year-old said: “I’ve trained as an opera singer for four years but when I’m on the operatic stage, I just don’t feel like I’m connecting with the masses. I want to make it through to the final 12 because I know I can sell records. On stage I come alive.”

But Sharon Osbourne was less than impressed when Rhydian took his place in front of the panel. After listening to his version of Tom Jones' classic 'Delilah', she declared: “I want to throw things at him, he’s revolting.”

Simon Cowell admitted that Rhydian could sing but described him as “up his own arse" and "the most conceited person I’ve ever met in my life”.

Later, the judges struggled to agree on the contestant's fate as they debated who would make it through to the next round.

Simon insisted that he had to put Rhydian through, telling Sharon he was "really passionate about this guy" and asking: "There’s no one else you want to fight over?”

But Sharon responded: “I’m not fighting, this guy is an idiot, I want to kill him!” She then walked out of the deliberation room and ranted at the cameras: "He’s the most nauseating individual I’ve met in years, he can sing but I don’t see any likeability. They [the judges] are just not interested in what I’ve got to say.“

Tune in to The X Factor at 6.05pm tonight to see if Rhydian makes it through to the next round.