Of all of X Factor/Pop Idol/Popstars is Rhydian on course to eclipse Gareth Gates and become the most successful reality star never actually to have won the competition?

Or, like Ray Quinn, Journey South and Ben Mills will he just have one successful album and be forgotten?

G4 did well.

Ben's album wasn't that successful really. Low sales.

Just a sidenote, but I think Liberty X were probably more successful than Gareth Gates.

Anyway, I can't really say how well he'll do since I haven't heard anything from him since the show.

Liberty X, like Phixx, weren't really runners up, which is why I didn't mention them. They were all individuals who independently formed groups after the show was over.

And no-one has heard Rhydian's new material, but during the lifetime of this thread we hopefully will.

He's been doing lots of little concerts though and working on new material (and of course he sang at ALW's birthday).

Ray hasn't been forgotten, he's gone in a different direction

No they weren't. Gareth had chart success in more countries, plus was also the face of Wella Shockwaves and Pepsi Cola for a time. Let's just say that he will never need to worry about the bills for the rest of his life

Ben and Journey South weren't the runners-up - Ray and Andy were.

I think he's got a good chance of being the most successful runner-up - out of all of those who have made the final and not won it, he's the most talented with the possible exception of G4 who actually had some raw talent.

I certainly don't expect him to end up looking a complete mess on a stage in Belgrade having represented the UK with his "music".

I don't think we can really judge this until we've heard his album and seen the initial sales .. and see how he's receieved by the media (TV, radio, newspapers etc). He's been relatively out of the mainsteam media's eye since the show ended, but has been getting a lot of private bookings and doing a fair number of smaller gigs for fans ...... and then of course we had the big ALW Birthday Celebration one this weekend so he's obviously in demand.

I really hope that he is very successful as I believe he has the talent and determination to succeed. Best of luck to him.

G4 sold 1.2 million albums so he'll have to go some way to beat that. You never know though!

Of course we also have to remember that success isn't just judged by record sales ... a lot of successful singers and performers may not be at the top of the record sales charts but they still have long and successful careers in the entertainment business, performing at sell out concert venues and appearing regularly on our TV screens. It's not always about chart positions and sales.

I would love for Rhydian to be a very successful recording artist, but I think that his success could be more varied. He may branch out into musical theatre and be hugely successful there. A lot of MT stars release records that may not top the charts but they still sell well and at the same time they are performing to sold out theatres 6 or seven nights a week along with regular TV appearances.

There's also Lemar.

Diamond we should not forget the private gigs in London included one for a charity attended by the Prince of Wales and another where Prince William attended.

He also appeared at the Grand Slam Celebration Party in Cardiff with Feeder & Stereophonic. He headlined a gig in Pontypridd supported by Sandi Tom. Both were great on the day.

He has already recorded his appearance on Charlotte Church's Christmas show to be shown on Christmas Eve. Also now he is to appear in Wales Festival of Remembrance concert in St. Davids Hall, Cardiff on the 1st November.

He is such a hard worker and I am sure it is going to pay off.

He was not the runner up in Fame Acadamy, although I think has made a bigger name for himself than the winner. I am sure he was third.

He was beaten by another Scot, wasn't it David Sneddon?

Thirds close enough figured as JS and Ben Mills were mentioned may as well mentioned Lemar.

David Sneddon I believe has been extremely successful as a songwriter.

A song writer yes but not as a recording artist. Shame because he was my favourite that year.

As Spiidey says

So I keep hearing. But no-one can tell me what he's written!

Well honestly i'm just going by whats been written on here but according to his Wikipedia page he is the only reality show winner to have a No 1 that was written entirely by himself.
It also mentions several other hits around the world and that he is signed to Universal.

He has quite possibly earnt more money from his song writing than many of the winners.
As a few Rhydian fans commented success isn't always about chart success and cds.

I have no idea what he's likely to do (or has been doing), far less whether it will be successful. Do you think he will be 'the most successful reality star never actually to have won the competition'? Based on what?

Yes maybe but being a successful songwriter does not make him a household name which is where success is counted.

I think Rhydian has the right idea, love him or hate him you still know who he is.

Well I don't count success as being a household name I see success as being someone able to make a more than decent living from their chosen field.
Success is not limited to singers.

I don't mean to be rude or have a dig at Rhydian here but many of my friends that have no interest in the XF have no idea who Rhydian is (or Leon for that matter.)

If we're talking about Reality Show people who have made the most money even though they didn't win then Jade Goody must have that title.

Way to devalue a whole thread!