X FACTOR finalists were fuming last night after Laura White’s secret affair with a show executive was exposed.

The Sun can reveal that sexy jazz singer Laura, 21, has been dating 38-year-old Mathew Firsht for MONTHS.

She tried desperately to keep the relationship secret from rival contestants and other bosses on the ITV1 talent show.

Dad Adrian, 50 — who also acts as her agent — last week denied Laura even had a boyfriend, saying: “She’s decided to stay away from them.”


Now X Factor chiefs and other contestants are said to be “shocked and angry” after the relationship was revealed.

A source told The Sun: “Laura has done her best to keep this a secret as she knows it looks a bit suspect.

“But some people have found out and have been bitching about it.”


Mathew — said to be a millionaire — has close links to X Factor supremo Simon Cowell and his fellow judges Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh.

The source added: “Mathew is always backstage with them.” The executive has been a key part of the show for years, organising audiences for the weekly live show through his company Applause Store.

He is regularly seen on set wearing headphones, and often chats with the judges backstage.

Cuddling

Mathew — whose company also organises audiences for Cowell’s show Britain’s Got Talent — has already helped Laura get on X Factor.

He met her at a Britain’s Got Talent audition in March, when her dad asked if she could sing for the crowd.

Mathew explained how she could audition for X Factor. He and Laura became close soon after, then started dating.

The couple have been spotted kissing and cuddling in central London’s trendy Covent Garden district, where Mathew shares a flat with his brother. He has also spent time with Laura’s family, being seen arriving at a London restaurant with his girlfriend and her dad in a car covered in “Vote Laura” stickers.

Seen ... 'vote Laura' car

Seen ... 'vote Laura' car

One pal revealed: “Mathew and Laura’s family get on really well. They went out for a meal and it was all very jolly. Mathew is obviously besotted by her. He really thinks she’ll be a massive star.”

Mathew is said to be convinced that talented Laura will win X Factor, and has been urging her family to place bets backing her. Bookies last night made her 10/3 second favourite to win the show, behind 17-year-old Diana Vickers.

An X Factor spokeswoman insisted Mathew had no influence on the outcome of the show. She said: “Laura’s personal relationship with Mathew has no bearing on her place in the competition.”

Mathew previously hit the headlines in July when he sued a former pal who signed him up to gay groups on social networking website Facebook.

the sun. there is also pics. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...cle1855131.ece

I was just reading this true or not, Laura is still one of me favs, and I still want her to win. (or Diana/Alex)

OMG - I think its true and she is only in there because of him!

she doesn't seem un fair though. like she doesn't look like a cheat.

true or not she still would of got through because she is very talented and can sing, plus the Judges would know of this guy, and they still let her through.

true!!

WTF! Or maybe because she's talented and has a big fanbase?

Or maybe cos he told all the judges to put her through as he thinks she has potential?!

I am not saying she has a good singer but if this is true then he certainly would have pushed her through to the live shows.

This news is having a very bad effect on Laura's fans. I just heard the radio slating her to the ground, and amny people are really annoyed that by her being in the final.

There is already a thread on this.

This is the thread, the original one anyway.

Them people must be really gulliable then, on DS her fans don't believe it, in fact some have said they don't care if it is true, me included, the girl has an amazing voice and talent. I wont believe this story untill Laura herself comfirms it.

He's actually got little sway over the show, remember It's more likely that Simon has the final say over ALL the acts then him. He might have convinced her to go on the X Factor but chances are he wouldn't have fixed it for her, or else it would have been obvious. It's funny that people are like 'she's gonna win, she's so talented' and then as soon as this is revealed they're like 'she cheated! She doesn't deserve to be there!'.

Don't discredit yourself people by believing this tripe. The media's sensationalising things again.

I dont trust this one bit, and even if she is. She got in for her talent and not who she was dating, we all knew she would get through to the final shows. The public have voted her through for 2 weeks... not her boyfriend.

I dont care who she is dating, its a talent show, and its her talent that is getting through. The judges have no say in if she goes through unless she is in the bottom 2... she hasnt even needed that yet.