WHEN Rhydian Roberts lost out to Leon Jackson in the X Factor finals in 2007, his dreams seemed momentarily crushed.
Looking back now, finishing as runner-up was the best thing that could have happened to the Welsh baritone.
He was snapped up by Simon Cowell, who offered him a contract with Sony BMG the very next day.
A double platinum debut album wasfollowed by a gold album that was nominated for a Classical Brit Award.
Balancing solo recording and touring with a love for musical theatre and show performances, Rhydian comes to Southend this month when he reprises the cameo role of Teen Angel in much-loved musical Grease at the Cliffs Pavilion.
“I didn’t win,” says Rhydian. “But actually coming second for my type of career was better – there was less pressure one me to be a pop star, I wasn’t really a pop star, I was a crossover classical artist.”
“Grease is one of my favourite shows. The part of Teen Angel is fun. The cast has changed so there’s a whole new influx of people.
“I’ve been to Essex with my solo tour, but I’ve never done a production there.
“I love that neck of the woods, especially in the summer – if we ever get one.” ”
Musical theatre has always been a big love for Rhydian, who performed in many musicals while he was training at the Birmingham Conservatoire, and he’s happy to combine his successful solo work with appearances in shows including We Will Rock You and War of the Worlds.
“I love to have a character,” he says. “When you’re doing  solo tours it’s just as Rhydian, but I like being an actor as well.
“Had I not gone on the X Factor I could have gone on to musical theatre school, so it’s nice to combine both.”
Rhydian has avoided the pitfalls many reality TV stars seem to fall into of simply not being able to follow up on the enormous expectations placed on them once the show is over.
Unlike many, Rhydian’s musical training gave him a realistic view of the music industry and he was able to navigate his way through it once the show was over with his eyes open.
“I look back on the X Factor with fond memories,” he says.
“It gave me a launch pad to prepare for a life in showbiz. It’s a great crash course, no doubt about it with the amount of media interest, you get to know TV very quickly and radio – and also the music industry. You’re working alongside Simon Cowell, the biggest mogul in the world.
“Life after the X Factor is the real world. Many people who go on the show can’t cut it professionally, On the X Factor you’re only singing one song a week, but I’ve got a concert on Saturday and I’m singing 20 songs, three of which I learnt overnight.
“I owe it all to my training. I trained for six years wanting a career in music and performance, and that held me in good stead. I’m very grateful for that training.”
Growing up in the Brecon Beacons in Wales, Rhydian fell in love with music at an early age, and right from the beginning his enormous talent was clear.
“I was a boy soprano from the age of three or four in Wales,” he explains.
“That really gave me a taste. I love being on stage – I’m quite shy of the camera and offstage, but on stage I like to entertain, that was apparent from a young age.”
Rhydian decided he was going to dedicate himself to honing his own voice after going to watch an opera with his mum aged 14.
Although Rhydian lists his albums going double platinum and gold respectively, and some of the amazing names he’s worked with as highlights from his incredibly successful career so far, the ambitious singer admits there’s still a lot he wants to get his teeth into.
“I’d like to do a new show,” he says. “Maybe create a role on Broadway, something Phantom-esque.
“They’re making a musical of the Elephant Man – and my great-great-grandmother was the Elephant Man’s nurse, I’d love to do something like that. Who knows what’s around the corner.”