Radio ban means Leon's not on

5:26pm Monday 17th December 2007

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Several radio stations, including Radio Pembrokeshire, are refusing to play X Factor winner Leon Jackson's new single following speculation about a possible fix in the results.

Local Welsh talent, Rhydian Roberts was the bookmaker's favourite to win with odds at 3/1 and many fans were left surprised when Scottish underdog Leon pipped him to the post in Saturday night's final.

Radio Pembrokeshire joined a string of south Wales radio stations in banning Leon's bid for Christmas number one from the airwaves. The decision came when stations were inundated with complaints from X Factor viewers, who say their votes for Rhydian to win went uncounted due to jammed phone lines.

Rhydian's trademark pitch-perfect vocals were teamed with Neath born Opera diva Katherine Jenkins for a duet rendition of You Raise Me Up and later for a heart-melting version of Somewhere which had previously reduced X Factor mentor Danii Minogue to tears.

Sharon Osbourne commented on Rhydian's performance of Holy Night saying he was "like an angel" and it seems that many viewers agreed. However, while voting in previous weeks had gone ahead successfully, radio listeners described constantly jammed lines throughout the final show.

"I tried for almost three quarters of an hour on three different phones, all different networks and could not get through," said one listener.

Angela Jay spoke on behalf of Real Radio who are also boycotting the single: "Wales is not looking to change the final result but we would like the makers of X Factor to admit there were problems on Saturday night with the collection of Welsh votes.

"This could end calls from Wales that this was a fiX Factor but rather a technical error".

In the meantime, Rhydian fans can console themselves that this is definitely not the last we've seen of the singing sensation. Talks are in process about a possible starring role in Andrew Lloyd-Webber's Phantom of the Opera as well as rumours Simon Cowell signing a record deal with the star.

Did you try to vote for Ryydian? Could you get through? Let us know below.