Shayne Ward has told The Sun that while performing on this weeks Top Of the Pops, Robbie Williams sought him out to congratulate him on his win and say that he had been watching the X Factor final.

Shayne said: “I thought it was a wind-up. I was at Top Of The Pops and someone said ‘Robbie wants to meet you.’

“Then he came over and introduced himself — and he was lovely. He was so genuine and gave me lots of advice.

“He told me he was a huge X Factor fan and that he had been voting for me. He said when he was in America he got tapes of the show sent over every week.

“He told me I should just enjoy myself and make the most of it. I couldn’t believe how genuine he was with me. I could tell he really meant what he said.�