The X Factor contestants Emily Middlemas and Ryan Lawrie are reportedly now a couple after growing close at bootcamp.

Although Emily, 17, and Ryan, 20, have not officially confirmed they are an item, pictures speak a thousand words as they cosy up in a couple of Instagram snaps.

A source told The Sun: “The pair individually are up there as the favourites to go on and win the show.

“They didn’t go on the show looking for love but it seems to have blossomed.

“All the signs are looking really good for them to progress really well on the show.”

Neither picture was captioned but one was posted in June and the other last month.

Both saw their auditions aired in the opening weekend of this year’s X Factor.

Scottish singer Ryan sailed through in Saturday’s show, while Emily went through on Sunday.

It was not Emily’s first time in front of the judges. She appeared on the show two years ago when she made it as far as the judges’ houses stage with mentor Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.

Ryan sang at the Capital FM Summertime Ball in June (Ian West/PA)
Ryan sang at the Capital FM Summertime Ball in June (Ian West/PA)

There are already “fix” rumours surrounding Ryan as it emerged he performed at the Capital FM Summertime Ball this year, but bosses confirmed he had never been signed to a label.

His potential relationship with Emily may give fans something else to gossip about.