X Factor’s Ben Haenow on being dropped by Syco: ‘It’s a numbers game for them’

'Disappointed': Ben Haenow was dropped by Simon Cowell's label
Anthony Devlin/PA
Jennifer Ruby13 April 2016
The Weekender

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Ben Haenow has opened up about being dropped by Simon Cowell’s record label following his X Factor win.

The 31-year-old, who was released from his contract after his second single Slamming Doors failed to chart, has said that it was all ‘a numbers game’ for the company.

“We broke up! I can't sugarcoat it, it wasn't what I wanted,” he told The Croydon Advertiser.

Explaining why he was dropped just one year after winning the ITV singing contest, the singer said: “They are a huge label and it's a numbers game for them.”

Ben Haenow in pictures

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Despite being mentored by Cowell, it seems that the music mogul didn’t sit down with him to tell him that he was being sacked.

“I haven't had a face-to-face meeting with Simon Cowell, but I didn't expect flowers,” he said.

“I was disappointed, but there are no ill feelings there.”

Haenow, who was crowned winner of the ITV singing competition back in 2014, is one of the quickest winners to be dropped by the label.

Confirming the news in an open letter to fans back in January, Haenow wrote: “Hey guys, Sorry I’ve been a bit quiet on here recently, been a crazy few weeks!

“So I wanted to let you all know directly from me, that after what has been the most incredible experience working on my debut album, myself and Syco entertainment have decided to part ways.”

Suggesting that it was a mutual decision, he added: “After discussions with the Syco team we both felt it was the right time to move on.”

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