Rhydian, 'Kiss and make-up'

X-Factor runner up Rhydian Roberts has become a winner in love..... after falling for pop guru Simon Cowell's make-up artist, Julia Carta - who is 12 years old than him.

Rhydian, who celebrates his 25th birthday on Valentine's Day said: "We met during The X Factor. She’s Simon Cowell’s make-up artist, in fact, and I fancied her when we were making the show last year.

"She’s half-Spanish and very beautiful, with dark hair and olive skin. I was also attracted to her because of her lovely personality. She was very supportive and gave me little tips and words of encouragement.

"We’re gradually getting to know one another properly and I’m very happy. She’s 12 years older than me, but that’s fine with us both.”

Rhydian told Hello! magazine he wants to be a virgin when he finds the right girl.

He said: "I don’t want to keep barking on about being a virgin and a Christian at the age of 24. I will make love with the person I fall in love with, until then I don’t have to go the whole way with a girl to enjoy pleasure with her.

"As long as there’s love and respect at the core, that’s what matters. The implications of sleeping around when you’re in the public eye could be dangerous – the next thing you might see is someone selling stories about you being rubbish in bed. It’s just not worth it.

“My faith is personal to me, and basically my belief is that we should respect one another. I’m faithful and monogamous and have eyes for nobody but Julia right now.”

He added: "I’m only 24, so I don’t think so. But eventually I’d like to have a family, a wife and two children. Living in my apartment in London is convenient at the moment, but I was brought up in rural Wales, so I’d like to have a place in the country one day.

“Yes, I’m old-fashioned and I prefer girls who like that, too. If I open a door, I’m not being sexist, I’m being courteous. During a relationship I will bring a woman flowers. Ladies need to be treated with respect.”

Rhydian, from the Brecon Beacons in Wales also revealed that he had been in talks with Andrew Llloyd Webber about playing the Phantom in a sequel Phantom of the Opera.

He said: "He told me I was perfect for the role, which was fantastic to hear. There have been talks, but nothing has been officially confirmed yet. Andrew’s halfway through writing the new show so it won’t be ready until next year anyway.

“I know I could play the Phantom, though. From the moment Mum took me to see the show on my 18th birthday, it’s been my dream. I think I’m made to be the Phantom. He has a scar on his face, and I have a birthmark that looks like a scar on my right cheek."

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