X-factor runner up Fleur East has been signed to former judge Simon Cowell’s label Syco, despite coming second in the competition.
The 24 year-old singer is set to begin work on her debut album which should be released later this year.
East was described as one of the show’s ‘best contestants, ever’,, and after her performance of Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson’s single Uptown Funk, Simon Cowell, her mentor said “of all the finalist I’ve heard on one of these shows, that was the greatest performance I’ve ever witnessed.”
The cover for the song, went to number 1 on Itunes soon after, despite the fact the original version had not been released in the UK at the time.
“It means so much to be able to have the support and backing of such an amazing label as Syco,” East said after news of her contract broke. “I’m so excited to finally have a platform to showcase my music.”
“Fleur proved what a star she was on the show last year and now we look forward to starting work on her record,” Cowell added.
East lost out on the X-factor crown to former van driver Ben Haenow, whose single went on to become Christmas number 1.
Fleur is not the first Xfactor hopeful to find succeded after not winning the show. One direction, Olly Murs and Ella Henderson have all become major artists, despite initially losing.
