Aussie 'X Factor' hopefuls Reece Mastin, Christina Parie deny romance

Two teenage contestants from the Australian X Factor have denied that they are in a relationship.

Christina Parie, 15, and 16-year-old Reece Mastin, who have made it into the top seven contestants on the reality talent show, were rumoured to be dating but have insisted that they are "just best mates".

Parie told New Idea magazine: "I'm single and I've been single for a while. Me and Reece are just best mates. We get along - we can talk to each other about anything. We are pretty much the same person - it's just that he's a boy and I'm a girl."

She also said that she gets jealous reactions from female fans.

"Girls are like, 'He's mine'," Parie admitted. "I'm like, 'You can have him!' It makes good telly."

Mastin added: "At first the rumours were funny, but now it just seems stupid."

When rumours of a romance between Parie and Mastin first surfaced, an X Factor insider said: "Hormones are flying."

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X Factor judge Ronan Keating recently caused controversy by telling Mastin that he should quit school to concentrate on his singing career.

Watch Reece Mastin perform 'Ironic' on The X Factor below: