X Factor runner up Olly Murs has revealed that he recently phoned his pal Joe McElderry, to offer his support after the brave singer came out to his fans.

Joe, 19, came out via a newspaper interview with The Mirror last month and the X Factor winner spoke of his relief at finally being honest about his sexuality but insisted that he is not yet looking for a boyfriend.

Despite being beaten by eventual winner Joe on last year’s X Factor, Olly Murs has admitted that the pair have remained firm friends and revealed that he phoned his pal soon after his revelation and assured him that nothing had changed.

He told The Daily Record:

“I spoke to Joe the day after he came out and I told him nothing was going to change.

“I know it was a massive thing to do and a lot of people want to delve into his private life.

“It wasn’t just like telling his friends and family – he was telling it to the whole country – and for him it must be really really hard.

“I just said ‘I’m here if you want to chat’. It’s his own business, really. I’m open about my sexuality – I’m single and I like the girls but I take my hat off to Joe.

“It’s the way he is and he’s come out and told us he’s gay. I’m cool with it but some guys can be really funny about it and I wanted to ring him and tel l him he could speak to me as normal.”