Hello, I am just wondering do they really win £500,000 or is it based on how well they do, contract deals, £500,000 paid over a period of 10 years etc.?

I think it is the latter but I'm not sure. I'm sure there was a story about George Sampson, when it was £250,000 that he was in debt to the studio.

I can only assume that its like the £1 000 000 million contract that Steve Brookstein 'won'.

The runners-up were to get nothing yet their album was released even before the winners and they probably had more success than SB.

Also there was that story about the prize of America's Got Talent is $1,000,000 over a period of 44 years if they are still in contract over that time.

I am skeptical about a £500,000 cash prize win.

Ashleigh must think she's getting actual money as she said that she intends to use it to set up a dog training school for 'film dogs'.

To be fair I know that Jai McDowell had enough money to buy his house but I am not certain that it was prize money or from what he earned on tour. (Actually it probably wasn't tour money at £500 a night.)

If they are talking about a cash prize, that is quite different to a £1m 'contract' but I didn't know about the AMGT clause so I just don't know.

Jai got £100,000. The prize money has been increased this year.

They kept asking Ashleigh what she intends to do with the money, so I'd assume the prize is what it says on the tin. If not, they should be ashamed for misleading her.

I think I remember reading that on shows like X factor when they say £1 million recording contract, this means they have £1 million to record, produce, distribute, market etc their single/album, once that's done they only get a fraction in salary. BGT I think they get £500,000 cash no questions asked, but it could be spread over xx years, I can't say if it is or isn't.

It is a PRIZE, not a recording contract like on X Factor - or like George Sampson entered into.

While it could be split into £100,000 a year for 5 years, something like that, it's still very much a cash prize and NOT a contract salary. Ashleigh won it fair and square and I'm damn pleased for her!

It's a cash prize. Well done Ashleigh, the hard work paid off.

as far as i know, it paid over 5 years, that is what has been reported in the past, and if she gets a private car or stays in a hotel etc, it all comes out of the £500,000 contract, just ask Will Young why he got lifts and cabs everywhere !!!

It's a prize and its paid at once this year. £250,000 from ITV (or through the production company, but they are paid by ITV) and £250,000 from Simon Cowell (which he is only doing because its tax deductible)

There is no contract. George Sampson was referring to a DVD he brought out - he signed a deal where Syco got 90% of the revenue and George got 10% but had to pay the costs too. However the DVD made less money than expected and he ended up owing them money.

It's the X Factor recording contracts which have a payment across five years, e.g. Melanie Amaro gets $1m a year.

There is no contract. It is a cash prize.

you're mixing it up with America's Got Talent which has a $1million prize which is paid out as an annual bursary.