X Factor winner 'won't land £1m contract'

Hero to zero: Joe McElderry was dropped after releasing just one album
11 April 2012
The Weekender

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The winner of 'The X Factor' will no longer land a £1 million recording contract.

Leaked figures show the successful contestant would need to have a career spanning at least four albums in order to generate the huge sum, with their advance for their first record being just £150,000, rising to £237,000 for a second, then £315,000 and £400,000 for the third and fourth releases.

Previous winners Joe McElderry and Leon Jackson were dropped after releasing just one album, and last year's victor Matt Cardle admitted his deal was worth less than £1 million.

He said: "I got an advance to keep me housed and fed while making my album. The million pound thing - that's just for TV."

It is believed that show chiefs stopped billing the top prize as a "£1 million recording contract" in 2009 and finalists are sworn to secrecy about the paperwork, which also sees a sliding scale of advances for those placed second and third.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "The bottom line is that unless you have hit album after hit album you will never get anywhere near the £1 million from selling records. But it's still a hugely lucrative show."

Acts who participate on the 'X Factor' live tour earn around £700 a day, depending on ticket sales and can boost their earnings with personal appearances.

A show spokesperson said: "'The X Factor' provides a huge platform for earning potential for both the winner and finalists.

"It is estimated finalists have collectively earned an estimated £60 million in the past few years alone including record deals, endorsements and public appearances."

Of the £60 million, more than £20 million was earned by 2006 winner Leona Lewis.

Meanwhile, the show has been thrown into chaos after it emerged the £4,000-a-week luxury house where the finalists stay during the live shows could be closed down after failing fire safety and building regulations during a spot check.

A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "The place is a total tip, with all the fire escapes cluttered up and a lack of proper signs indicating proper exits.

"Unlike previous years, the house is designated a commercial property, not just residential - so these rules apply. Bosses went ballistic and pledged to get things sorted for the next visit."

The house is due to be inspected again tomorrow.

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