On the 19th March 2009, Leon Jackson, the winner of The X Factor 2007 has been dropped by Sony; his record label after one album was not a success. However, Rhydian, the runner up of the X Factor 2007, has back him after Leon has been axed. Rhydian has proved that although you do not win the programme you can become a successful artist.

Ray Quinn Has also proved that being a runner up has helped him become very successful. He was runner up to Leona Lewis on The X factor 2006 and since then he has become a star one the West End and very recently won another reality television programme, “Dancing on Ice” which he proved to be very successful in!