Robbie Williams and X Factor contestant Olly Murs reportedly struck up a friendship since meeting on the ITV show.

Murs’s pal, Jon Goodey told Now: “They text and call each other all the time. Even if Olly doesn’t win the show, he knows he’s got a good friend in Robbie now.

“‘Robbie’s got a real soft spot for Olly because he can see himself in him. They’re very similar. They’re both great showmen, but also quite insecure behind closed doors.”

He added: “Like Robbie, Olly doesn’t always realise just how talented he is.”