Despite denying rumours that they are dating, X Factor singer Stacey Solomon has admitted that she loves fellow contestant Olly Murs, but does she mean that in the platonic sense of the word?

Last week Stacey told Now: ‘I love Olly, he’s my best mate in the house – with John and Edward.

‘We’re from the same area, so he reminds me of home. You know when someone talks and it’s like: “Ah, that’s home…”‘

Stacey also told of how she broke down after her movie week performance and would have left the show if Olly hadn’t been there. She told Now:

“I read in the paper two weeks ago: ‘Stacey was going to quit until Olly hugged her.’ Oh yeah, that definitely happened.

‘I was in tears, really distraught, ready to walk out the door and Olly came over, gave me a cuddle and I was like, back in the game. Here I am!”