RHYDIAN

Rhydian Roberts was born in Sennybridge, Powys,Wales.
Rhydian won a bursary to the Birmingham Conservatoire at University of Central England (now known as Birmingham City University). He first trained with Adrian Clarke and subsequently with Christine Cairns, Paul Farrington, Mary King and Claire Underwood, graduating in 2007 with first-class honours.

During his second year Rhydian was auditioned by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra's (CBSO) Musical Director Sakari Oramo. He played Morales in the CBSO's semi-staged Carmen. Additionally, he won the Cecil Drew Oratorio Prize, the Mario Lanza prize and the Reginald Vincent English song prize. He secured leading roles in virtually all of the Conservatoire's operas and musicals. Among these were Charley in Merrily We Roll Along by Stephen Sondheim (Crescent Theatre, Birmingham), and the title role in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

During his audition for The X Factor, Rhydian was openly self-assured and ambitious. Simon Cowell originally said “He stands out because he has an incredible voice”. His performances on the X Factor included a full theatrical account of "The Phantom of the Opera" He was offered a recording contract with Sony BMG by Simon Cowell.

Rhydian spent much of 2008 working on his debut album. In October 2008 he entertained an audience of over 30,000 with his rendition of "Music of the Night" at Andrew Lloyd Webber's 60th Birthday Party in Hyde Park. Having heard Rhydian sing, HRH Prince Charles invited him to become an Ambassador of The Prince's Trust. During November Rhydian guested at The X factor series five finals.

Upon release, his album ‘Rhydian’ charted at number 3, selling over 150,000 in its first two weeks. Total recorded sales of over 300,000 after four weeks conferred Platinum Album sales status on Rhydian. Rhydian was also declared to be the highest selling album by a male chart newcomer in 2008.

2009 saw more than 600,000 albums sold and the release in November of Rhydian's second album, O Fortuna. He also completed a 27-date solo tour of the UK. He recorded his own television special for Welsh broadcaster S4C which aired over the Easter period, followed by the documentary 'Rhydian, One Year On'. In April 2009, Rhydian again entertained the Royal Family, at "The Prince's Trust Celebrates Success" Awards.

At the 2009 Liverpool Summer Pops Festival, Rhydian headlined one of the Liverpool Pops dates in the Echo Arena and performed for 11,000 fans with Only Men Aloud supporting him on 30 July. In November 2009, Rhydian appeared on the BBC Children In Need programme.

Rhydian's engagements in 2010 included several all-star gala evenings - three of them at London's Royal Albert Hall. With O Fortuna nominated for Album of the Year, his third appearance at the Royal Albert Hall within two months was at the Classical Brits Awards, televised by ITV.

Rhydian starred in a musical adaptation by Jeff Wayne of The War of the Worlds in a major arena tour in November 2010. He joined Jason Donovan and former Atomic Kitten Liz McClarnon, playing the intense role of Parson Nathaniel. This role in the original 15 million selling double album was sung by Thin Lizzy front man Phill Lynott.

In February 2011 his alma mater, Birmingham City University honoured him with an award of Alumni of the Year.

He joined the Tour of We Will Rock You taking the role of Khashoggi and starred in Grease as Teen Angel.

He released two albums: one of 80s-inspired pop, 'Waves' and one of classic songs sung in Welsh 'Caneuon Cymraeg'.

And to top it all, he starred in his own series of entertainment shows for the Welsh channel, S4C, drawing in as guests Hayley Westenra, Ruthie Henshall, Sophie Evans, Faryl Smith and Escala.