Cheryl Cole's protégé Joe McElderry is staying tight-lipped about his mentor's rumoured love life.

When asked if he had met her "new boyfriend" Derek Hough he replied: "Well, I don't know if it's her fella or not but he seems like a nice man."

Last week X Factor choregpraher Brian Friedman declared the pair were "a lovely couple", although Cheryl's camp maintain they are just good friends.

The singer and US professional dancer have been inseparable since Cheryl's split from husband Ashley Cole in February.

They have not even been snapped holding hands, but specualtion about their alleged romance continues to grow.