rhydian roberts Bristol Hippodrome, tomorrow Oxford’s New Theatre, May 11 Tickets: from £22 0844 847 1585 WHEN I tracked down Rhydian, he was tired from a thronged five-hour public appearance at a Cardiff record store.

He is also in the midst of a hectic months-long tour that sees him play at the Bristol Hippodrome tomorrow and Oxford’s New Theatre on Monday.

So does he manage to register the changes of venue or do they all blend into one eventually?

Hectic schedule or no, the refreshingly down-to-earth singer has his wits about him.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to Oxford. I have fond memories of it because I’ve played there before - at the town hall.

“Playing live is what I do best, and I get wonderful offers every day. This past year, the number of offers that have come before me is something I’d only dreamed of.”

It’s been a remarkable rise to fame for the 26-year-old singing sensation who found national fame as runner-up in the second series of the X-Factor in 2007. In spite of taking the second place slot, he arguably has a higher media profile than winner Leon Jackson.

The two were Sony BMG labelmates until Jackson was released from the organisation in March.

Rhydian, meanwhile, is still very much with the label and saw his self-titled debut album notch up sales of 90,000 in the first week after its release last November. The figure has since climbed beyond 600,000.

He is a classically trained singer, having studied at Birmingham City University’s prestigious Conservatoire, and won several prizes as well as appearing in productions ranging from musicals to opera.

This background is perhaps reflected in the venue choices for the current tour, which range from theatres such as the one in Oxford to the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow and Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall.

With a second album in the pipeline and appearances with everybody from Tom Jones to Placido Domingo lined up for the coming months, does Rhydian have any ambitions left?

Unsurprisingly, the answer is a firm ‘yes’.

He said: “One of my dreams has been to have somebody create a role for me, and to play that role on Broadway and in the West End.

“When I was at college that was my dream, but now it’s more attainable.”