Ruth Lorenzo annoys Simon Cowell by signing with rivals?

Ruth Lorenzo has reportedly signed a six figure record deal with a rival record company - much to the annoyance of Simon Cowell.

The X Factor finalist was a favourite of Simon’s on the show but a source told the Sun that when it came down to it, she went with EMI/Virgin instead.

The source said that Ruth had been sworn to secrecy about the agreement but let it slip at a party at the weekend: “Ruth was a bit giddy with the free champagne and was telling everyone Simon was gutted she signed elsewhere.

“She said she wanted to sign with him because they got along so well during the X Factor. She said she would have loved to work with him.

“Ruth says he has given her lots of advice - which she made it clear she was grateful for - and also that he had given her a lot of confidence with her singing and with her career.

“But the EMI deal was just too good for her to knock back.”

With her elimination in Week 8, Ruth came fifth in the show over all behind Diana Vickers, Eoghan Quigg, JLS and winner Alexandra Burke.