Votes plea by singer's dad

The father of Mid Wales singing sensation Rhydian Roberts has urged everyone to vote for his son in tonight's X Factor final.

Malcolm Roberts, from Trallong, near Brecon, said Rhydian was hoping everyone would be behind him tonight.

"He wants me to thank everybody for their support and hopes they will continue to vote for him tonight," said Mr Roberts. "Without the votes he can't win, so please pick up the phone."

Thousand of X Factor fans will be glued to their sets for the final of the show that could see the 24-year-old crowned the winner. More than 600 of his supporters, including more than 100 from his home village and surrounding area, will be cheering him on from Cardiff City Hall, where a live video link has been set up.

Rhydian has already recorded his version of this year's choice of song for the winner's single, a cover version of Mariah Carey's When You Believe.

He will be going head to head with brother and sister duo Same Difference and Scottish singer Leon Jackson tonight on ITV1 at 7.15pm. Rhydian will be singing the Josh Groban song "You Raise Me Up" and singing a duet with Welsh opera star Katherine Jenkins.