A LLANDUDNO man has had to say goodbye to the X-Factor after nearly three months in the contest.
Ryan-Lee Seager, 21, from Park Avenue, Craig y Don, was voted off the popular TV talent contest after failing to impress judges Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh in the first live round.
Ryan, who is a previous pupil of Ysgol John Bright, entered the contest as part of boy group Follow Your Dreams, who were mentored by pop svengali Simon Cowell.
The group wowed the audience and judges on repeated occasions throughout eight weeks of auditions, but failed to progress to the finals after live shows began on Sunday evening.
His father, Dean Seager, said that although Ryan had been disappointed, he and the rest of the group were keen to keep going.
He said “We’re all a bit gutted, but we spoke to the lads last night and, although they’re despondent, he said they were going to carry on and do something. His mum and I were really chuffed he’d said that.
“Ryan was very professional. Obviously we’re disappointed, but it’s good he’s handled it.”
Despite the setback of being voted out at this stage of the X-Factor, Ryan already has a varied career in entertainment, including providing backing vocals for artists like Alphabeat and Paolo Nutini, as well as studying at Pineapple Studios.
FYD’s elimination from the contest has been met with disbelief by fans, who had looked forward to seeing them progress in the competition. Their work has already achieved a four-star rating on iTunes.
Margaret Jones, who taught Ryan at the Llandudno Youth Music Theatre, said that Ryan had an optimistic and professional attitude towards losing the contest.
She said “It’s always difficult when you’re the first group on, but I think they performed very well.
“And I think Ryan spoke so professionally. He handled the situation absolutely amazingly, and you have to give him full marks for what he said at the end. To have the sort of courage they had is immense.”
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What do you think about Ryan leaving the X-Factor? Did the judges get it wrong? Do you think Katie Waissel should have gone instead? Have your say on our comments section below.