The X Factor contestants are definitely attracting a lot of celebrity attention this year.

Yesterday we revealed that Nathan Sykes from The Wanted was tweeting his support of District 3 after Sunday’s live results show, and Yoko Ono took to the micro blogging website to offer her support to Jahmene Douglas, after he covered her late husband’s song ‘Imagine.’

Now Bette Midler has thrown her weight behind one of the hopefuls.

The former ‘Beaches’ star may be living in America, but thanks to the wonders of Youtube, she finally caught the X Factor audition of Christopher Maloney and it seems she liked what she heard.

For his initial tryout in Liverpool, Chris performed Midler’s legendary song ‘The Rose’ and praising his version of the track, Bette tweeted:

‘Just saw the incredible triumph of @ChrisMaloney77 on @TheXFactor UK singing The Rose…congratulations! Keep it up!!’

Chris was stunned to receive such high praise from the global star and retweeted the message, later adding:

“Im still in a state of utter shock that the amazing @BetteMidler has been in contact. Can’t wait to tell my nan! #delighted xx”

“OMG! cannot believe bette midler has just seen my audition and tweeted me! This is big! Wow xx”

It’s a bit of nice news for the singer, after the tough week he’s had at the hand of the judges.

Louis Walsh, Tulisa and Nicole Scherzinger branded him a ‘diva’ on The Xtra Factor on Sunday night and although Caroline Flack later defended him and insisted that he has never been anything other than pleasant and helpful to her, another story broke in today’s newspapers, which claimed that his fellow contestants have branded him ‘fake.’

One finalist reportedly told The Mirror:

“Christopher could not be any more different off camera.

“He isn’t nervous at all and is actually quite big-headed.”

However, Chris claims that the reports are all just tactics, designed to hurt his chances of winning the series and his roommate Kye Sones has jumped to his defence, saying:

“We share a room. He’s not a diva at all.”

Chris is working hard to make to make sure he impresses the viewers with his song this week, in the hope that the negative rumours won’t hurt the amount of votes he attracts. He tweeted:

“Ello guys, still in rehearsals! Starting to get tired, but its all so worth it, really putting in the hours. Wanna b better than last week x”

Are you a Christopher fan? What do you think of his Bette Midler tweet? Leave your comments below…