Webber denies Rhydian 'Phantom' claims

Andrew Lloyd Webber has dismissed rumours that X Factor runner-up Rhydian Roberts is in line to star in the Phantom Of The Opera sequel.

It had been reported that Simon Cowell offered the singer a record deal to prevent him being tempted into the lead role in the West End musical.

Roberts, who sang the production's title song during X Factor, had been quoted as saying: "Andrew and I have communicated. My ambition is to play the Phantom at the end of next year."

However, Webber denied that there was any truth in the claims, telling The Sun: “I wouldn’t have thought so. I’ve never heard him sing.”

Roberts recently admitted that he was smitten with his new girlfriend.