X FACTOR runners-up G4 have signed a £1m record deal following a bidding war for the classical group.

The band - former Huddersfield University student Matt Stiff, Jon Ansell, Michael Christie and Ben Thapa - lost out to Simon Cowell's act, Steve Brookstein, in last year's show.

Brookstein won the £1m recording contract with mentor Cowell's BMG label - despite harsh criticism from X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne.

Now, the quartet have been signed up by Sony Music and their debut album will be released on February 28.

It is a compilation of covers of pop, rock and opera classics. It includes tracks sung on the show.

In a statement G4 said: "The sound of the album will build on what we achieved on the show.

"Our act is a little different from what is out there and we hope that was what drew people to us. We are all just so excited and proud of the album."

A Sony Music spokesman said: "G4 are a very exciting group who appeal to classical and mainstream audiences."

Brookstein's debut single, Against All Odds, shot to number one. But the jury is still out on whether he will be a lasting success.