'They grew close in the X Factor house': Contestants Holly Tandy and Leon Mallett have 'struck up a strong bond after months of living together'

By Ekin Karasin For Mailonline

Published: 11:37 GMT, 5 December 2017 | Updated: 13:22 GMT, 5 December 2017

They spent months living together in the lavish X Factor mansion in London while competing on the ITV singing show.

And it seems Holly Tandy and Leon Mallett's close quarters have had a strong effect on their friendship, as sources claimed the pair have struck up a close bond.

The Barnsley beauty, 16, and the Norfolk-based lad, 22, reportedly 'grew close' in the house - prompting some of the male contestants to 'tease' Leon about their rapport.

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Rumour has it: It seems Holly Tandy (pictured) and Leon Mallett's close living quarters have had a strong effect on their friendship, as sources claimed the pair have struck up a close bond

Rumour has it: It seems Holly Tandy (pictured) and Leon Mallett's close living quarters have had a strong effect on their friendship, as sources claimed the pair have struck up a close bond

'Leon and Holly grew close while in the X Factor house,' a source told The Daily Star.

'Some of the lads have been teasing Leon about it, which has been a bit awkward.

'Leon has a girlfriend so all that happened was a cuddle on the sofa, but some contestants wondered if it was more.'

The insider also claimed the pair shared a car while travelling to the X Factor live finals this weekend and were 'really flirty'. 

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Leon and Holly for comment. 

Hmm: The Barnsley beauty, 16, and the Norfolk-based lad, 22, reportedly 'grew close' in the house - prompting some of the male contestants to 'tease' Leon about thei

Hmm: The Barnsley beauty, 16, and the Norfolk-based lad, 22, reportedly 'grew close' in the house - prompting some of the male contestants to 'tease' Leon about thei

Teasing: The Barnsley beauty, 16, and the Norfolk-based lad, 22, reportedly 'grew close' in the house - prompting some of the male contestants to 'tease' Leon about their rapport

Teasing: The Barnsley beauty, 16, and the Norfolk-based lad, 22, reportedly 'grew close' in the house - prompting some of the male contestants to 'tease' Leon about their rapport

Holly, who was voted off in week four, declared her support for winners Rak-Su over the weekend as she shared a snap with them.

She gushed in the caption: 'RAK WHAT?! RAK SU. So so proud of these lads,they are role models to me and amazing friends

'Good luck in the future, been backing you since day one and will continue to as you take over the world with your incredible talent.'

The teenager seemed to be relishing her new showbiz lifestyle since leaving the competition, as she shared a starstruck selfie with 34-year-old actor Henry Cavill - dubbing him a 'sort'. 

Claims: 'Leon and Holly grew close while in the X Factor house,' a source told The Daily Star 

Claims: 'Leon and Holly grew close while in the X Factor house,' a source told The Daily Star 

Interesting: 'Leon has a girlfriend so all that happened was a cuddle on the sofa, but some contestants wondered if it was more,' the insider also claimed

Interesting: 'Leon has a girlfriend so all that happened was a cuddle on the sofa, but some contestants wondered if it was more,' the insider also claimed

'I met superman #whatasort,' the singer quipped.

Holly previously opened up about a horrifying car crash left her feeling 'out of control' and having nightmares. 

She also revealed a staggering ten infections caused by a kidney problem left her looking like a 'skeleton' just months ago. 

The car accident with her old boyfriend saw their car flipping on to its side, sliding through traffic and crashing.

Reflecting her 'really tough' experiences, she explained to OK!: 'I was approaching my GCSEs, I had limited friends and I felt very lonely.

'Then I got a kidney infection and I had a run of about ten infections in a month. I was quite poorly for a while and I lost a lot of weight. Then I was in a car accident.' 

'I met Superman!' Holly seemed to be relishing her new showbiz lifestyle since leaving the competition, as she shared a starstruck selfie with 34-year-old actor Henry Cavill - dubbing him a 'sort'

'I met Superman!' Holly seemed to be relishing her new showbiz lifestyle since leaving the competition, as she shared a starstruck selfie with 34-year-old actor Henry Cavill - dubbing him a 'sort'

'So proud of these lads': Holly, who was voted off in week four, declared her support for winners Rak-Su over the weekend as she shared a snap with them

'So proud of these lads': Holly, who was voted off in week four, declared her support for winners Rak-Su over the weekend as she shared a snap with them

Meanwhile, Leon was the third contestant to be booted off the X Factor. The 22-year-old - who was Louis Walsh's Wildcard entry - found himself in the last two acts alongside group The Cutkelvins after his rendition of Daft Punk's Get Lucky fell flat with viewers. 

Speaking after his elimination, Leon said: 'The whole thing has been a highlight. Just sharing the stage with such talent, I just feel humbled and blessed to share it with all these guys.

'It's been a great year, everyone is amazing. Thanks to the public for voting me back and letting me have that opportunity.' 

The Norfolk based lad initially auditioned with his brother Alex as part of group ITG (In The Genetics).

After making it through the first round, One Direction guru Simon Cowell split up the lads at the Six Chair Challenge stage of the competition. 

Allegations: It comes after claims that runner-up Grace Davies (L) had a fling with fellow contestant Matt Linnen (R)
Allegations: It comes after claims that runner-up Grace Davies (L) had a fling with fellow contestant Matt Linnen (R)

Allegations: It comes after claims that runner-up Grace Davies (L) had a fling with fellow contestant Matt Linnen (R)

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