Rhydian - Waves

Welsh baritone Rhydian Roberts, also known mononymously as Rhydian, was born 14 February 1983 in Sennybridge, Powys, Brecknocksire where he attended the local Pontsenni Cylch Meithrin and Ysgol y Bannau Welsh medium schools. Only five years of age when first representing both his school and Powys as a boy soprano in the Urdd Gobaith Cymru Eisteddfod, he maintained his links with the Urdd whilst at Llandovery College, where he became Head Boy.
A sports enthusiast, Rhydian played rugby union for the Gwernyfed Rugby Football Club as a junior as well as cricket for Powys County Junior teams. Following a gap year which he spent teaching in a South African school, he won a bursary to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire at the University of Central England. During his second year there he was auditioned by Sakari Oramo, Musical Director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, which led to him playing Morales in the CBSO's semi-staged 'Carmen' and gaining leading roles in most of the Conservatoire's operas and musicals. The recipient of a Kathleen Ferrier Award, Rhydian's talent and performances were also recognised by winning the Cecil Drew Oratorio Prize and the Mario Lanza Prize.
It was during his final year at University that he auditioned for the fourth UK series of 'The X Factor' in 2007. In my view he was THE standout contestant - his performance of 'Phantom of the Opera' leading to Celine Dion stating: “Rhydian is in a different league, he’s amazing!” He became the favourite to win the series but, despite the controversy raised when a number of viewers complained to watchdog Ofcom that they were unable to get through to vote for him, he finished as runner up to Leon Jackson. Nevertheless, he was still offered a recording contract by Simon Cowell, resulting in him recording the first of his eight albums, and by 2009 selling more than 600,000 records - in marked contrast to Jackson who, despite selling 130,000 copies of his début album released in 2008, was dropped by Sony BMG and has yet to complete a second.
Rhydian has gone to star in musical theatre, become a television presenter and perform to sell out tours.
In February he announced his intention to retire from singing, coinciding that with a 14-track album of classical selections. In his own words, he stated: "Later in the year I'm doing a 'Best Of' which has all my favourite songs from the pop world, musical theatre, and classical. That’ll be it then - I'm hanging up my recording voice."
Now 40, Rhydian works as an artist manager and promoter. He's also agent of several acts, including Lee Mead and UB40. His social media profile further describes him as a property developer and investor.
One of my favourite Rhydian "pop" recordings is the title song, 'Waves', from his third album released in 2011 which, though coming in for much airplay, failed to gain him a hoped for chart hit.