My boyfriend is very creative and is a talented musician, but he’s not into pop music at all
X FACTOR favourite Janet Devlin’s boyfriend may not be a fan of the show — but that didn’t put him off keeping a tight grip on her.
The 16-year-old Tyrone native’s beau Brendan (17) made the trip over to see her perform last weekend.
And after Janet survived the first elimination show, which saw four acts being booted off the show, the young girl from Gortin made her way through the crowds and directly to her teen sweetheart at the afterparty at Fountain Studios in London on Sunday night.
The pair looked relaxed as they hugged and stayed close to each other’s side, keeping to themselves while other acts mingled with family, friends and fans. Still remaining a firm favourite with the punters, Janet admitted that Brendan is no fan of X Factor.
“My boyfriend is very creative and is a talented musician, but he’s not into pop music at all,” Janet told The Star's Rachael Kane. And no doubt Brendan will be keeping an eye on the lads from last year’s X Factor sensations One Direction — who have been paying close attention to Janet.
Mullingar hunk Niall Horan (18) was first to get in touch with Janet on Twitter to say that her performance at bootcamp was “sick”. And at the weekend Harry Styles (17) tweeted: “Janet Devlin...so good. What a tone.”
Show insiders have also revealed to The Star how the acts will rally to keep a close eye on Janet now that she is the youngest surviving contestant — after rival Amelia Lily (16) got the axe on Sunday night.
“Janet is exactly how she comes across. She is very shy but her confidence comes out as soon as she starts to sing,” one source said. “She’s very quiet in the house and keeps to herself but it’s going to be hard for her as now she’s one of the youngest left in the contest.”
And axed Amelia even accused her mentor Kelly Rowland of favouring Janet. Disappointed Amelia suggested it was no surprise when the Irish teenager was the first of the four girls to be named safe on Sunday night’s show. “I always kind of thought that Janet was one of her favourites right back to Janet’s very first audition,” Amelia said.
However, the source revealed fears that the teen’s age and experience might count against her as far as Kelly is concerned — which would play into the hands of fellow hopeful Mischa B.
“Mischa B is a ready made celebrity,” the source said. “There’s more to her than meets the eye. She’s a total diva and I think that’s why Kelly likes her so much. She has a game plan. Whereas Janet’s shyness might go against her. I’m not sure that Kelly is convinced she will be able for all the attention.”
Modest Janet has also been laughing off her tag as show favourite. Her mum Patricia said: “If anyone says it to her she dismisses it totally and says everyone has an equal chance.” Bookies Boylesports have placed Janet as a 9/4 favourite ahead of Mischa at 4/1 — although boyband The Risk are hot on their heels at 11/2 after their performance at the weekend.
Spokes-woman Nicola McGeady said: “Irish entrants always do well in X Factor but Janet is our biggest hope yet to win the show.”