X Factor winner Matt Terry handed record deal with RCA instead of Simon Cowell’s Syco – and bosses want to turn him into next Olly Murs
WINNING the X Factor wasn’t MATT TERRY’s only victory this week.
After beating SAARA AALTO, the singer has landed another coup — a record deal with Sony label RCA.
I’ve learned that bosses want RCA to look after Matt’s career in order to turn him into the next OLLY MURS, who is also signed to the label.
It’s an interesting move as it means SIMON COWELL will not directly guide his career at his label Syco, as he has done with former X Factor winners LITTLE MIX and JAMES ARTHUR.
A source revealed: “Simon and Sony have had a think and believe that Matt is very much an artist in the mould of Olly Murs.
“And to that end, they both believe he should be a label mate of Olly’s on RCA. Everyone is thrilled with Matt’s victory and how brilliantly the winner’s single is doing.
“It’s already been the iTunes No1 for well over 24 hours even though it only came out late on Sunday evening.
“When Christmas Comes Around is a fantastic song.
“It perfectly showcases Matt’s talent and also has a real shot at the Christmas No1 next week if momentum continues to build.”
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A Sony Music spokesman confirmed the move, saying: “Matt Terry is now part of the Sony Music family.”
But it’s not the first time one of the talent show champs has joined a different Sony firm.
MATT CARDLE’s career was overseen by Columbia Records after he triumphed over ONE DIRECTION in 2010.
Matt’s ED SHEERAN-penned winner’s single is battling LOUIS TOMLINSON’s debut solo track Just Hold On for this week’s top spot.
When Christmas Comes Around is at No5 while Louis is just ahead at No2, behind CLEAN BANDIT at No1.
Matt still remains favourite to beat both and land his first chart-topping single but he’ll have to hold on for another week to bag the Christmas No1 on Friday, December 23.
It’s going to come right down to the wire.
Ed's timely tease
ED SHEERAN has hinted at a long-awaited comeback – a year to the day after I revealed he was going on a musical hiatus.
Fresh from penning MATT TERRY’s X Factor winner’s song, he teased his return yesterday with a cryptic tweet at exactly the same time and date he shared his last post telling fans he was taking time out 12 months ago.
It consisted of just a pale blue square and came hours after his songwriting collaborator Amy Wadge wrote: “It’s on its way and is the best thing I’ve made. His album is done.”
I can’t wait.
Keef beef with stoned Pete
WHEN KEITH RICHARDS is dishing out drug advice, you know there’s a problem.
Rock junkie PETE DOHERTY tells how the ROLLING STONES legend knocked some sense into him by throwing him in a bin.
The veteran caner was angry when he found Pete off his rocker after a heroin binge at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2007. Pete revealed: “Keith said, ‘What you doin’? Going in the veins? We only skin-popped in the Sixties’.
“They had different coloured dressing rooms. Uncle RONNIE WOOD – his was called The Detox Room, all white – and he dumped me in there, in the bins with my legs in the air, on my back like a dead cow. I heard Ronnie in the midst of my dementia going, ‘Have him removed. He’s a liability – and he doesn’t get the blues’.” But Keef’s approach wasn’t wasted, as Pete added: “Now I get the blues.”
Buttering up won’t seal a Stones duet.
Good sporty
MEL C might have snubbed the SPICE GIRLS reunion but she’s still belting out their hits.
At mcb777.site/bizarre I have exclusive footage of her singing 2 Become 1 with YEARS & YEARS’ OLLY ALEXANDER.
Monday’s surprise performance, left, was at Union Chapel in Islington, North London, where Olly’s band were doing a special event for homeless charity Shelter.
It’s a great cause – and what a way to raise awareness.
Dannii shines with Take That party
ALL hail the return of DANNII MINOGUE to British TV.
The Aussie former X Factor judge joined another X Factor veteran in GARY BARLOW to launch BBC show Let It Shine in London ahead of its January debut.
SPANDAU BALLET legend MARTIN KEMP works with the pair to complete the judging line-up for the talent show, which will find the leading men for the new TAKE THAT musical.
After having a special preview of the episode, I can say it’s the Beeb’s best entertainment show in years.
There were a few tears and I laughed out loud throughout. The judging panel has brilliant chemistry and there are no talent show clichés.
MEL GIEDROYC is a revelation without Bake Off sidekick SUE PERKINS. Instead, she presents with GRAHAM NORTON with the rest of the team.
I can’t wait to see him back on Saturday night TV.
12 Dudes of Christmas
TODAY I launch Bizarre’s 12 Dudes of Christmas on my Facebook page, a daily video in which a celeb is “unwrapped” to warm up those cold winter nights.
First up is I’m A Celeb star JAKE QUICKENDEN.
Unwrap them all at facebook.com/danwootton
Boy & George
GEORGE MICHAEL might need to recycle his old policeman’s uniform.
Loose-lipped NAUGHTY BOY let slip the pop legend is indeed working on a new album, as I first revealed on ITV’s Lorraine in August.
Producer Naughty has been called in to muster up hits for the star.
He said: “I can’t wait. I don’t know what to expect. He’s more mysterious than anyone else so I’m actually excited.”
Naughty, who has written hit songs for BEYONCE and EMILE SANDE, said George, also pictured, got in touch after he mentioned him in an interview.
But it won’t be a one-way street – the former WHAM! star is offering his songwriting skills to Naughty in return.
Naughty added: “I reached out and then he got back. He’s got an album coming out next year and he’s going to be doing something for my album as well.”
I’m glad the whispers are gathering pace.