Nancy hopeful denies dating 'Dream' star

Nancy hopeful Samantha Barks has denied claims that she is dating former Any Dream Will Do contestant Ben Ellis.

The I'd Do Anything star was said to be smitten with Ben after he made a guest appearance on the show with four of his former Joseph rivals.

However, Samantha - who will compete against Jessie Buckley and Jodie Prenger in the final tonight - told The Mirror that she is "just good friends" with Ben.

Barks found herself in the bottom two last weekend and is now desperate to prove that she is right for the part of Nancy in the new West End production of Oliver!

"I'm a raw, edgy Nancy," she explained. "I've grown as a performer during the contest, taken criticism on board and worked on it."