X Factor winner Shayne Ward has been receiving regular hate mail and his mother is being plagued with threatening phone calls.

One letter said the 21-year-old X Factor winner and his family needed to “look over their shoulders” and that Shayne’s success was a “fix”.

Shayne’s mother Philomena 48, has received a number of “upsetting and intimidating” phone calls and is keeping a low profile in fear of a jealous attack.

Shayne’s sister Lisa, 24, said: “We’ve had letters abusing the family because of stories in the tabloids. It’s upsetting and stressful, but we’re a strong family and we’ll stick together.

“We’re still celebrating Shayne’s success every day. Negativity from jealous idiots isn’t going to stop that.”