World Class in the world of reality tv talent show contestants. Not world class in the 'real' music world - I'm afraid. Doesn't mean that he isn't good & won't go on to have a career but to be making statements like this at this time just encourages the mockery of X-Factor.

I think Shakespear's Much Ado about Nothing fits here.

That comment was uncalled for, how can you possibly say that? It seems to be yet another vindictive little dig at someone who had nothing to do with what was said, just because she is Leon's mum. You should hang your head in shame

Excuse me Yma, but didn't the great Simon Cowell say Rhydian was world class?

Yes they have taken it from the Heat article and haven't printed exactly what he said.

When he was talking about Sharon and the sh*t in the envelope in Heat magazine and his mother threatening to do it back to Sharon they insert (laughs) as if he's joking and he also says "I think" my mum't threatened to do this, not his mum HAS threatened to do this.

It is a standard phrase he uses in X-Factor - just a way of trying to make out competition has higher standard of acts than it really has. Take anything the judges say & divide by 2 & it is nearer to the truth. Lets be honest he said Hope were good - hardly the truth!!

He can't be keen on Leon then.

I don't remember him saying that about anyone else (apart from Rhydian) other than Leona. I stand to be corrected but that's my impression.

You missed the A at the end. For a second I though you meant Leon haha. You've got top be more careful or people will think you were applying the term world class to him.

Very true. Some of the comments on overseas sites about the result have been hilarious.

Good old mediocrity-loving and sob-story susceptible British public. What an embarrassment.

He has never said that about any contestant than Rhydian and Leona, and quite rightly.

He certainly said after one performance (I *think* it was Somewhere) that that was the first time time somebody had done that apart from Leona in the last series 'it was THAT good'. Simon clearly believes him to be a major major talent, it's up to him to help him become a superstar.

Iagree with you. Simon is not effusive with his comments and is aware he has in Rhydian that he has a male star fo world proportions.

No, the victory of one of the weakest contestants makes a mockery of X Factor.

Sorry I meant apart from Rhydian he has only said it about Leona

Simon actually picked up on Rhyd's world class pretty quickly into the Live Finals, as he remarked that his POTO performance was 'potentially World class' and that was only the second week.

For once it gives me no pleasure to have been proved right. Think shame of yourself.

Absolutely. Why do you think he is allowing Rhydian to take his time in recording his album, while also allowing him to take up other offers he has had? Is this normal practice with a runner-up? No. The albums are normally rush-released to cash in before people lose interest in them and/or forget them. Simon knows that in Rhydian he has an exceptional prospect - an outstanding voice with the added bonus of charisma.

He really needs to get over himself. He should be pleased that Dannii picked him for her final 3 in the first place and gave him a chance to compete. Also, it was her song choice at the start that gained Rhyd a following, it was his latter-Simonesque song which became totally boring.

I would never believe what the Mirror wright's.

Why do Rhydian and his family keep giving interviews where they are being 'misinterpreted'. Its happened far too often this week.

Leon and his family may be a lot less well off - but they collectively seem to have a lot more class!

I think you will find he has Shayne definitely.

Interesting, if true, but from the link, he really doesn't seem to get on well with women, apart from his mum that is. I noticed in his parents' interview that it is the mother who does all the talking - perhaps a pushy show biz mum.

Perhaps the real reason why he lost - females just didn't like him enough to vote for him as much as they liked Leon.

Imo, Rhydian should start giving positive more upbeat interviews - all this self-pity "nobody likes me, everybody hates me, I think I'll go and eat worms..." is quite frankly pathetic.

Sorry but this must be one of the most laughable posts on the board.

He says that he doesn't think that Dannii likes him much and that makes you think that this means that he doesn't get on with women, sorry but I don't see your reasoning here at all.

Funny how Faye the stylist and her female team were gushing about him in a backstage interview. He sent them all flowers as a thank you for all they have done for him ... I doubt he would have bothered to do that if he hadn't got on with them.

He has said in interviews that he loves female company, a number of ex-girlfriends have written in the press (not one of them has said anything nasty about him and have said how charming he is). All the female Dj's and TV presenters that have interviewed him seem bowled over by him ... this doesn't give me any hint of someone who doesn't get on with women at all.

I have seen Rhyd's dad interviewed on many occassions, he's been on the radio and TV. When they are interviewed together his mum seems to speak more, but she seems a bit more outgoing than his dad who comes across as quite shy ... nothing wrong in that.