SORTED MAGAZINE, JAN/FEB 2008 ISSUE
THE SEX FACTOR
According to Rhydian
X-Factor hero Rhydian Roberts has served up a sex lesson to Christian blokes without having to think twice.
So often the "temptation" is addresses relentlessly in mens' groups with all sorts of fantastically convoluted advice being offered. It's dead simple for one of the greatest talents ever thrown up by Simon Cowell's talent show and he should become a role model for confused church-going blokes.
Here's a 24-year old showing a Christian maturity which would shame many twice his age as he came out for Christ. None of it comes as a surprise to his closest pal and uncle, Nigel Roberts who speaking exclusively to Sorted told us how a fine young man found his way to such maturity in the faith.
He said: "Rhydian became a Christian at a very early age. Both sides of the family are churchgoers but I think it was probably his Mum Angela who really got him into it. Both her and his Dad Malcolm are worshippers. To be quite honest it will be so refreshing to see somebody like Rhydian in the pop charts. So many are into drink and drugs. But Rhydian has very strong principles and is completely teetotal. The only thing I've ever seen or heard him do is to utter the odd bad word. He is very moral and would not compromise his faith for anything or anybody. I think he will be a great role model."
On the subject of sex, the young man himself left no room for any doubt on his views, declaring: "I don't believe in sex before marriage but I'm human and can fall short."
In a sex-obsessed society few were too interested in the fantastic new voice of Wales once it became known he was a (whisper it) "virgin!" Forget that Cowell has been completely blown away by the kid from the valleys, describing him as potentially world-class. Ignore the non-religious Sharon Osbourne as she almost fell at the 24-year old's feet after a stunning series of peformances. And remember his X-Factor mentor Dannii Minogue being reduced to tears as he sang the great West Side Story hit: "There's a Place for Us".
It was several levels higher than anything seen on the show before or since. The guy should have been pulled out there and then, and given his own series of shows. The alternative - if there had been any justice - would have been for them to announce him winner and thus take the 'B' for boring Factor out of things over the forthcoming weeks. Yet - absurdly - he was beaten. The great British public opted for a young Scottish warbler over the stunning classically trained voice. Nigel has a view on that, declaring: "I believe Simon wanted him to win because he's the most marketable. However, he knew they needed to keep the show interesting. They didn't want it to become a one-horse race. There's a lot of money at stake."
Rhydian is a rugby nut and Nigel tells a story about the lad's playing days which seem to sum up his entire character. He said: "He was always playing above his age group and was once involved in a massive local derby. He'd already scored two tries and was clean through for his hat-trick when he passed to a team-mate to score. Afterwards I asked him why he'd done it, and his reply tells you all there is to say about him. He said: "Well, it was the last year for the chap I passed to. I have a year left." Rhydian would never force his religion onto anybody, but he is certainly not afraid to stand up and tell people what he believes and why. Some of the tabloids have already taken the mickey out of him but he does not regret saying what he has done. He is proud of his principles. He loves his singing but his faith will always come first."
It's the perfect riposte to the nationals who believed an "Is He or isn't He Gay?" debate was far more interesting that taking a look at this clean-living young man's attitude to life. Thankfully Rhydian put the sex issue to bed very quickly, declaring: "If people are assuming I'm gay or whatever, that's fine. They don't know me and I dress quite camp but I can say categorically that I am 100 percent straight."
In most cases that should have been enough, but Rhydian used the negative publicity to the advantage of his boss Jesus Christ. He didn't care that in Australia, "Idol" contestants have been ordered not to talk about their beliefs and this in this country the government has busily been doing it's best to close down the Christian voice. He said: "I love the company of women and I'm not saying that I can't have fun with a lady. I have been offered sex like most men but if you believe in something you can't compromise. But I am human and I can fall short."
"I am not a closet Christian. If someone asks me about it I will talk about it. I do pray on Saturdays but then I pray every day."
No long preaches which can stretch to 40 minutes or more. Just a brief statement covering four vital areas of Christian behaviour:
1. Tempted by sexual wrongdoing? Don't! God's not impressed!
2. Don't beat yourself up - you are only human. God understands.
3. Don't be afraid to witness. It's what we are supposed to do.
4. Don't just pray for what you want most of all, like X-Factor success in his case. Pray ceaselessly as instructed by the word of God.
He could easily have got into a long preach on judgementalism but chose instead to allow people the right to say what they liked - even though they had no right at all.
Rhydian - the X-Factor audience had learned during one show - had all the attributes to become an international rugby star. That's his real passion and once again therefore his mere presence in the world helps to shatter a few myths beloved by the anti-Christian brigade. We are capable of competing in every walk of life under all the prevailing conditions, and many are as far from being Bible-bashing wimps as it's possible to be.
Hard-headed Cowell was won over by this great kid almost from Round One and Nigel adds: "He and Simon had lots of conversations during the series about the future." Nigel only has one regret about his nephew's success, saying: "He's a sports nut and loves playing games of all sorts. We were supposed to be going on a golfing holiday together but when he got through to the X-Factor boot camp, we had to cancel it. Still there will be other holidays."
Rhydian mate... take a bow and thank goodness you haven't employed a media man whose undoubted advice would have been to have told you to keep your Christian beliefs to yourself, as it might damage your career.
