X Factor contestant Lauren Murray may have made it to the final five of the show, but she isn't confident in her chances of winning. Instead the 25-year-old, who says being in the final five is "the maddest feeling in the world", has tipped her close friend Ché Chesterman to be named this year's X Factor champion.
Speaking to HELLO! Online backstage at rehearsals on Friday afternoon, Lauren explained: "I would buy his album right now. He's wicked, he's doing Adele and it's the best song I've ever heard him do.
Lauren Murray predicts Ché Chesterman will win The X Factor
"He was a bit down about being in the bottom two but the thing is it's going to happen to all of us. There's only one winner. People thought he was safe, he has 100 per cent still got a chance of winning."
Lauren also opened up about her relationship with Ché, explaining that they have developed a close bond since living in the contestants' house together.
"Me and Ché have got really close in the house, we're like brother and sister," she said. "We just fight all the time."
© Photo: ITVLauren said it is "the maddest feeling" to have made the final five
Lauren's vocal support for Ché shocked viewers during Sunday evening's live results show, after she appeared to push girl group 4th Impact out of the way while cheering for him. However Lauren played down the incident and said she was "shocked" at the response she had received on social media.
"I was so shocked about how one tiny thing can be blown out of proportion," Lauren said. "Even 4th Impact were so upset by it. But I'm just being me. I just wanted to give Ché a hug."
The incident also prompted the Filipino girl group to insist there was no bad blood between themselves and Lauren by sharing a video of them all together on Twitter.
"Hello guys we are 4th Impact and this is Lauren," the siblings said. "Please stop telling her anything because she's the one who supports us a lot. She's our friend. We love Lauren. She's great. She's saying, 'Come on Che'. It's not bad, okay?"
