‘Rhydian vote was not rigged’ says watchdog

May 9 2008 by Abby Alford, South Wales Echo

RHYDIAN Roberts lost X Factor fair and square, according to media watchdog Ofcom.

The regulator was deluged with 2,500 complaints after the live televised final from fans who said they had not been able to vote because the phone lines jammed.

Ofcom pledged to look into the allegations as part of a wider investigation into premium-rate vote and competition lines on ITV programmes.

But the body has announced that Scottish singer Leon Jackson was correctly announced as the winner.

Today Rhydian’s uncle, Cardiff businessman Nigel Roberts, welcomed the ruling, saying it finally brought the matter to a close. “Rhydian, who is in Stockholm recording his album, has moved on,” he said.

“He is not in any way bothered. He accepted the result on the night very graciously.”

Rhydian had been hot favourite to win the X Factor final, but after host Dermot O’Leary announced the finalists were “neck and neck”, Leon Jackson was named the winner.

abby.alford@mediawales.co.uk