Who would have thought that the key to success would be failing to make it as a Popstar?

The BBC reports that five singers rejected for the British edition of the music-business reality series have inked a six-album deal with V2 Records.

The quintet of singers met during the audition process for the British "Popstars" series. The winners of that talent search eventually went on to form the chart-topping group Hear'Say.

The rejects -- Kevin Simm, 20, Tony Lundon, 22, Michelle Heaton, 21, Jessica Taylor, 20, and Kelli Young, 19 -- independently started their own group, Liberty, The BBC said.

"I think they are a fantastic band," Branson told the BBC. "From the first meeting, I was absolutely wowed by their determination, optimism, and their refusal to give up, but it was when I heard their music that I knew they were going to be a huge success".

As members of the V2 stable, Liberty will be recording alongside Tom Jones, Mercury Rev, and Moby.

The BBC said a sixth U.K. "Popstars" wanna-be, Warren Jituboh, is rumoured to be in talks with Def Jam Records for his own deal.