Former X Factor winner Ben Haenow has been dropped from Simon Cowell’s record label, Syco. Ben, a former driver from Croydon, triumphed on the Saturday night singing show in 2014 and his single went straight in at the Christmas number one.

Ben HaenowBen Haenow has been dropped from his record label

Unfortunately, Haenow’s success hasn’t been repeated with the lead single from his debut album - a duet with Kelly Clarkson, Second Hand Heart - only reaching number 21.

His self-titled album reached number 10 in the UK album chart.

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Posting a link to his Twitter account to break the record label news, Haenow, 31, said that both he and Syco felt it was the "right time".

He wrote: "Working with the X Factor and Syco has been the most amazing time of my life and has given me the best possible platform for the start of my career.

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"I have the utmost respect for them both and cannot thank them enough for all the help and everything they have done for me this past year."

Haenow confirmed he was working on his next album and that there would be a few changes to his upcoming tour and thanked his fans for their support.

The London born singer is not the first winner to be dropped by Syco with Sam Bailey, James Arthur, Matt Cardle and Joe McElderry all succumbing to the great music label parting.