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Simon Cowell: X Factor runners-up may not get signed

Record business is hit by the credit crunch

Simon Cowell signed Leona Lewis

Simon Cowell admits he's less likely to give a record deal to this year's X Factor runners-up.

The judge signed Rhydian Roberts, 25, and band Same Difference – even though Leon Jackson, 19, triumphed last year.

But Simon, 49, says the credit crunch has hit the music industry too.

‘Under the current climate, I would say it was more important to win the show this year than any other year,’ he says.

‘Like every other business, the record business is tougher than it was last year.’

Alexandra Burke, 20, Eoghan Quigg, 16, and boyband JLS are in tomorrow's final.

And Simon says he'd find it hard to pick a winner.

‘It's the most exciting we've done,’ he tells the Daily Record. ‘I genuinely can't call it.

'It's theirs to win on the night. I think it's going to be a right old ding-dong.'

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