EXCLUSIVE: No nits at our house say X Factor stars (From Times Series)

EXCLUSIVE: No nits at our house say X Factor stars

2:46pm Tuesday 3rd November 2009 in News By Sarah Cosgrove

THE X FACTOR house does not have nits, according to two of the show's stars.

Danyl Johnson and Jamie Archer said there had been no itching from the irritating head lice, despite news reports by an anonymous house “insider”.

“I don't know where that came from,” Mr Johnson, 27, said.

“The first we heard of it was when we read it in The Sun.”

The rumour was published in the tabloid yesterday and then picked up by most other national newspapers.

But the finalists said there was no truth in the follicle drama, joking that you should never believe everything you read in the press.

The boys, who are both being mentored by Simon Cowell, dropped into the Starbucks cafe in Golders Green Road for lunch and gave mobile Times Series reporter, Sarah Cosgrove, an exclusive interview.

Both contestants said they were having a great time on the show.

“There can obviously be really big highs and really big lows but you just pick yourself up,” Mr Johnson, who was previously a teacher in Reading, said.

And 33-year-old London musician, Mr Archer, added that he still found the whole experience “wierd” saying he was conscious of how he came across on screen.

The lads also quashed rumours that romance was developing in the house, located nearby in Golders Green.

Mr Johnson said: “Everyone's just really close but not in that way. We just see each other as cousins.

“We all get on really well.”

The decision by X Factor bosses to locate the house in a quiet Golders Green street has led to complaints by some residents, although others have said they are very happy their road was chosen.

The road was closed temporarily by Barnet Council last week after an enthusiastic young fan was nearly run over.

And next door neighbour Madam Fu Ying who is the Chinese Ambassador to Britain complained to the Foreign Office about the noise and behaviour of the mostly teenage fans who lurk outside the house hoping for a glimpse of their idols.

One resident told reporters that it “was like putting a bunch of chavs next to the Queen.”

The pair said they had not met Madam Fu Ying but they had made friends with their other neighbours.

Mr Johnson said: “Gemma and her mum next door are really nice.”