It has been revealed in The Sun newspaper that former X Factor winner Shayne Ward, has become the latest star to be dropped by Syco Music, the record label owned by Simon Cowell.

Shayne Ward won the X Factor series back in 2005 and was in the process of launching somewhat of a comeback with a new single Obsession late last year.

It is reported that Simon Cowell was able to arrange for the former winner to perform during the final of the X Factor last year without having to pay the usual £60,000 fee for the privilege.

However Shayne Ward has failed to replicate his earlier success with his cover single of Gotta Be Somebody by Nickelback getting in at only number 12 on the UK singles chart while the poor showing of his album, which only reached number 15 in the album chart, resulted in the planned future releases of singles have now been cancelled.

Shayne Ward has now become the fourth male winner of the show to be dropped by Simon Cowell. Steve Brookstein, the first winner back in 2004 was dropped after only eight months of being signed to the label after poor singles sales, this was followed by Leon Jackson who in 2007 won the show but his album only managed a number four position.

Most recently Joe McElderry, the 19 year old winner who shot to fame after the 2009 series, was dropped by the record label after his last single only got to number 68.

The only remaining male X Factor winner still on the Syco Music books is Matt Cardle, who signed to the label in March following his Christmas number one hit last year and winning the show.

A spokesman from Syco Music said: “After five very successful years and an international career which saw him sell over 3.2 million records, Shayne's contract has come to an end.”

Check out the latest Shayne Ward merchandise below: