X Factor star in five-album deal with Sony

X Factor star Ben Mills has signed a five-album deal with record label Sony BMG.

Mills, 26, who was voted off the ITV show in the semi-finals, is releasing his own material and songs from the X Factor.

He is on the same label as the show’s winner Leona Lewis, and runner-up Ray Quinn.

Mills said: “The X Factor experience has been unbelievable. It was the perfect platform to gain recognition and I’m really enjoying writing and recording this album.”

The long-haired singer, who is performing in the X Factor tour next month, releases his first record in March.

Mills, who plays the piano and the guitar, has already started writing and recording the album.

Lewis and Quinn went head-to-head in the final of X Factor after Mills, from Kent, was voted off the reality talent show.

Lewis spent four weeks at the top of the charts with her debut single A Moment Like This.