X Factor finalist Olly Murs has denied rumours that he is dating former competitor Stacey Solomon.

Olly admitted that Stacey was his closest friend in the X Factor house but denies that anything else was going on.

“I’m not taking Stacey on a date,” he said. “We’re just good friends. Stacey is not my type. I like darker-haired girls like Katie Holmes. The best thing about Stacey is her personality. We get on like a house on fire.

“And of course I’ll miss her when the show’s over. She’s been my closest friend in the house. I’d be devastated if I never saw her again.

“We’ve got each other’s number and we’ll see each other on the tour but we haven’t got any plans to meet up once the show’s over.”