'X Factor' hopeful 'not a friend of Cole'

X Factor contestant Austin Drage is not a friend of judge Cheryl Cole, according to the reality show's production company Talkback Thames.

A tabloid report emerged today claiming that Drage, a former member of boyband 5Boyz, once toured with Girls Aloud and was voted through to the next round because he knew Cole through her brief relationship with his ex-bandmate Brett Warren.

A spokesperson for Talkback said: "Austin was in boyband 5Boyz, which we have always been aware of, but despite Girls Aloud once appearing on the same billing at a show one night, Cheryl has never met nor had a friendship with Austin, nor has she ever had a relationship with former 5Boyz member Brett."

Drage impressed judges Cole, Dannii Minogue and Simon Cowell with his performance of Boyz II Men hit 'End Of The Road'.

"He has at no point had an advantage over other contestants in the show," added the spokesperson.