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Home , Olly Murs, Stacey Solomon

‘X FACTOR’ semi-FINALISTS and on fame, family – and THE facts BEHIND those romance rumours

Stacey has been missing her 20-month-old son Zac (right) while filming for the show but has found comfort in new best pal Olly (above and below right): “He’s a really nice guy… I can relate to him”

the long term? We’re having so much fun and really funny people. I’m attracted to people’s doing the bestest things: we get free clothes, free personalities. But I don’t ever think people are make-up; we get to meet really famous people; we trying to chat me up. I get really embarrassed.” go on trips. It’s really cool. There’s nothing about Do you think you could be as big as ? every single day that I don’t like.” “I think we’re really different. As much as I aspire to Do you worry that if you become a pop star you be as good as Leona, I couldn’t say I’m going to be. might not be able to see much of Zac then, either? I don’t want to think about winning, though “I think that if I was at home doing a nine-to-five obviously I want to win, really badly. If I won, I job, it would be exactly the same. Everything I do is would just be like, ‘When am I going to wake up?’” ‘This is the for him. Any kind of job I do is for him, because Do you enjoy getting glammed-up every ? ‘Like in football,

KAY/TALKBACK THAMES/REX FEATURES. XPOSUREPHOTOS.COM THAMES/REX FEATURES. KAY/TALKBACK we’ve got to survive. But at the same time, I’ve got “I love it! During the day I wear trainers or Uggs funnest thing c to be happy for him to be happy, so I still have to and baggy clothes. But on the show I get to wear funnest thing follow the things that I want to do. If I can provide the semi-finals high heels and tight dresses. It feels like I’m dressing For 25-year-old Olly, for both of us and we’re happy, that’s the dream.” up, like when I used to dress up in my mum’s I’ve ever done in You became a mum so young. Is it nice to have The X-Factor represents clothes when I was little. I’m not as glamorous as are the worst time his last chance to fulfill some time to be free, like other girls your age? Cheryl or Dannii though – I’m just geeky.” “It’s a funny feeling. When I’m walking down the his dreams of pop my whole life I And Olly, how are you feeling about being in the stardom. For 20-year-old street without a pram, I’m always wondering, semi-finals? to go out because ‘Where is it?’ It’s strange, but when I think about Stacey (opposite), every “It’s just awesome. This whole experience has really day in the competition can’t believe it. what I’m doing, I know in years to come it’ll be given us a taste of what it’s like to be a pop star.” you’re just one cool. I’ll show Zac videos and he’ll be all embarrassed is like living a dream: Do you feel like you could actually win it? “Every week that goes It’s not real…’ and like, ‘Mum, what were you doing?’” “Not at all. I never thought I’d get to the final 12. It’s not real…’ When you go on tour, will your mum step away…’ by, I just want to be here Then, when I got to the final 12, I was like, ‘Oh, I’ll more and more” look after Zac at home? never get to the final eight.’ And here I am in the PHOTOS: JON FURNISS/WIREIMAGE. KEN M “Yeah – though apparently you get to take people final four! Now I just want to be part of the final. along with you so he might join me. How cool Just like in football, the semi-finals are the worst hey’re both from , they both have bubbly, Despite his twinkling eyes and easy manner, Olly would that be? Stacey and Zac touring the world!” time to go out because you’re just one step away.” envious. The only thing I want to do right now is Tdown-to-earth personalities, and they’ve both admits he lacks confidence when it comes to How did life change when you became a mother? You’re missing your twin brother’s wedding on move out of my parents’ house.” won over millions of X Factor viewers, so it’s hardly women: “I’m terrible. I’m all talk. Before I met “Everything changes. Your outlook on life changes semi-final night – you must feel terrible… So, are you team Dannii or team Cheryl? surprising that their fans are hoping for a Christmas Cheryl, I used to be like, ‘If I met Cheryl Cole, I’d… – it’s like you’re here for a reason. And to think that “I’m gutted! But The X Factor semi-final is a good “Well, Dannii definitely has more experience. I can romance between semi-finalists Stacey Solomon y’know…’ but now I’m face to face with her, I’m you’ve created something so amazing is weird. You reason to miss it. When I auditioned in May, I never talk to her and have a nice conversation with her, and Olly Murs. The fun-loving pair, who have been like, ‘Er… alright?’ When you meet women who are get this overwhelming sense of responsibility thought I’d make it this far. My brother’s upset but but with Cheryl [laughs]… I’ve fancied Girls Aloud together 24/7 since they moved into the X Factor that attractive, you just don’t know what to say.” – everything I do is going to affect him.” he knows how important this is for me. I had for too long! Kimberley Walsh came into the studio house in October, have denied rumours of a Whatever the future holds for Stacey and Olly, There were rumours you were going to quit the applied for the show twice before but didn’t get the other day and I came out with an awful chat-up relationship, but it’s clear to everyone that they they are eager to share their excitement over what show, but that you stayed because of Olly… anywhere. It just so happens that this year, the year line about a chip shop that we’d both been to. It have formed a close bond. has surely been The X Factor’s biggest year yet, with “That’s absolutely untrue. Why would I want to of his wedding, I got through.” was really bad.” “He’s good-looking and a really nice guy,” a very performances from some of the world’s greatest quit? This is the funnest thing I’ve ever done in my Is this your last shot at being a pop star? Do you expect a record deal even if you don’t win? glossy-looking Stacey, 20, confessed to hello! as acts, including Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. whole life. I’d never want to leave. Every week that “When you’re 25, you’ve got to think about finding “Not at all. I don’t like to think into the future. I she joined the other semi-finalists for a chat before Here, they share their thoughts with hello! on goes by, I just want to be here more and more.” a career. I was getting hassle from my parents. They take things day by day, especially in this competition. the weekend shows. “But he looks just like my what reaching the final stages means to them… You’ve clearly bonded with your mentor, Dannii… were saying, ‘Come on, the dream of being a pop If you start thinking, ‘Yeah, I’m going to get a record brother. We’re from the same place, so I can relate Stacey, how do you feel about having made it to the “She’s like my actual friend. is my star has got to go now.’ And that’s why I’m so grateful deal,’ you get complacent. Of course I want to be a to him. When I think of Olly, I think of home.” semi-finals? friend! She’s the coolest person…” to be here. This would definitely have been my last pop star, of course I want a record deal, but I don’t And cheeky chappy Olly, 25, wearing a festive “I’m so happy I’ve got this far. I can’t believe it. It’s a You’ve met plenty of celebrities while filming chance. I wouldn’t have given it another go.” want to be disappointed if I don’t.” bobble hat, agreed: “Obviously Stacey’s an attractive dream. It’s not real. I haven’t even comprehended The X Factor and The Xtra Factor. Was there anyone Has your brother settling down made you think that Is there anything you’re particularly looking forward girl. But we are just friends. We get on really well it yet. I can’t even think about it. I’m just like, ‘How you were starstruck by? you might be ready to? to when the show comes to an end? and we’re from the same area, so we have a lot in has this happened to me?’” “[Football Factory star] Danny Dyer – I was moving “I’m happy with the way my life’s going. I’ve had “Just going home – to a family roast cooked by 114 common. It’s like when you’re abroad and you You’ve been missing your son Zac. Has that spoiled closer and closer to him like a stalker…” girlfriends and, of course, I’d love to meet someone my mum or my nan. And to just chilling out.” H 115 meet an English person – you attach to them your enjoyment of being on the show? And was there anyone you fancied? and settle down one day. My brother’s met someone straight away. That’s how we are.” “This is just a few weeks of my life – what’s that in “Danny Dyer! But he’s married with children. I like he’s in love with and it’s brilliant, but I’m not Interview: Jessica Luper