THE X Factor competition may be over but semi-finalist star George Shelley and his boy band Union J are believed to have signed a contract with music giant Sony.

Less than a month after the band left the competition, after being beaten to the final by solo singers James Arthur, Christopher Maloney and Jahmene Douglas, the four-piece band have now secured their first major record deal.

Even though 19-year-old George, of Clevedon, did not make it to the final round of the popular ITV competition – which saw James Arthur scoop the crown – the band still won their place on the show as the favourite boy band.

With legions of female fans screaming their names at every public performance and more than 700,000 Twitter followers, it came as no surprise when Union J announced they were in talks with one of the world’s biggest music companies.

In an interview with the ITV show Daybreak, George’s band mate Jaymi Hansley said: “It’s amazing. It’s been a crazy week. Obviously when we came out of the show the dream was to get a record deal and we’re going to Sony today to sort out all the contracts and stuff.”

The band also let slip to fans they were in talks with the music giant over signing a record deal during a recent gig at Cardiff club Pulse.

The former Weston College student’s success came after he was placed with the other three singers at the competition’s boot camp stage.

Mum Toni Harris, aged 50, and her family have been supporting George – who left his job in Weston’s Costa Coffee to pursue his X Factor career - all the way and said she is positive the band will have a bright future.