[Red Moon]

Lean on me: X Factor loser Laura White parties with TV executive 'boyfriend' 17 years her senior

Despite admitting that recent coverage of her love life may have affected her popularity on the X Factor, Laura White is doing little to quash rumours of romance.

The singer partied into the late hours of last night at London's exclusive Groucho Club, cosying up to TV executive Matthew Firsht as they have yet to go public over their affair.

Laura also appeared to be enjoying her new-found fame at the Soho club where she was pictured with a host of celebrities, including presenter Gail Porter.

The former contestant, who was regularly scrutinised for her style on the show, made another fashion faux-pas as she opted for a strapless black dress that struggled to contain her curvy figure.

Following her shock vote-off, Laura admitted recent press coverage of her private life may have been to blame for her shock exit from The X Factor.

The 21-year-old from Bolton, who was one of the bookies' favourites to win the reality show before she lost the sing-off against fellow contestant Ruth Lorenzo last Saturday , had been pictured with Mathew throughout the week.

Reports had claimed Firsht, 38, was a TV executive from the show, but White denied the allegations.

She told reporters at a press conference: '"I won't lie, I did question that last night when I got in. I thought maybe it's the press and all that about my love life.

'Half of that was not true - I was never going out with someone who was a TV executive anyway.

'He had no involvement in the show. I'd only been seeing him for four months anyway so that's why I never spoke about it. It's private and I'm a private person."

The pair, who have been dating for months, were exposed as a couple last month despite their best efforts to keep the relationship a secret.

X Factor bosses and Laura's fellow contestants were said to be 'shocked and angry' after details of their romance were revealed in the press.

A source said at the time: '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.'

Firsht has been involved with the X Factor for a number of years, organising audiences for the weekly live programme through his company Applause Store.

He is said to have close links with the show's judges including Simon Cowell and is regularly seen chatting with them all backstage, according to reports.

Source and Pictures: Daily Mail

[Lauren]

I don't care what she does in her personal life; the fact is - I think she was the weakest singer last week.