Olly Murs would have to be “gay” not to fancy Caroline Flack.  The Xtra Factor presenter – who co-hosts the ITV2 spin-off show alongside Caroline Flack – explained while he has a crush on Caroline, he is “100 per cent single and ready to mingle”.

Olly said: “I think Caroline and I have got to the point now where if we wanted to get together, we would. We’re just mates.

“Of course I fancy her, she’s a really good-looking girl – I’d be gay if I didn’t turn round and say she was gorgeous. I’m really lucky to be working with her. But I’m 100 per cent single. Single and ready to mingle! I’ve been single for a long time, I prefer it. It’s less stressful.”

Olly – who finished second in the 2009 series of The X Factor – thinks it’s a shame the show’s judges, Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos, Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh, have become the “focal point” of the programme because of their arguments.

However, he insists the fall-out between Kelly and Tulisa over the Misha B bullying row was “nothing major” as former judges Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Simon Cowell were always squabbling.

Speaking at last night’s (03.11.11) Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women of the Year Awards 2011 at London’s Banqueting House, Olly said: “The judges have really been the focal point of this year’s show, which is a shame because there are some really talented contestants.

“We have to interview the judges straight after the show and it’s hard. First there was Misha-gate, then there was Kelly not being there last week. Of course there is going to be a bit of friction between them, everyone expected that, it’s nothing major.

“When I was on the show with Simon, Cheryl, Dannii and Louis it was exactly the same – they were always arguing. They’ve been friends throughout the entire X Factor experience, but now it’s the live shows and it’s time to get the ball rolling and get competitive.”