Jedward are now showing me the way forward, says X Factor star Olly

The Essex singer claims that having their mentor, Louis Walsh, on board will ensure the Grimes twins remain in the limelight for years to come.

Olly is now hoping that Cowell will be willing to take him under his wing when he returns from his annual Christmas break to Barbados, thus ensuring he doesn't go down the same path as some X Factor finalists from previous years and disappear from the limelight.

GRATEFUL

"It's good for Jedward definitely," he told the Herald. "I mean look what he's done for Westlife and Boyzone's careers, he will definitely keep their name out there.

"They needed someone to guide them and Louis is definitely the right guy for them. You just don't know how long anyone's going to last, but I think they have a good shot now.

"Simon's in Barbados at the moment, I haven't spoken to him, it would be too expensive to call him there. I'd love to talk to him and see if he has any plans for me or not, though. Of course I'd love to work with him again, but either way I'm just grateful to be doing what I'm doing and making the most of it."

Olly, who lost out in the X Factor final to Cheryl Cole's protege Joe McElderry, went on to explain how he had not managed to stay in touch with 18-year-old twins John and Edward Grimes since leaving the show, as he doesn't have their number.

The rising star claims that the boys' fame has grown so much, that even he and the other contestants find it difficult to contact them without going through their agent. Olly claims he's most looking forward to reuniting with Jedward when the group take off on the annual X Factor tour later this year and would have been devastated had they pulled out in order to take part in Celebrity Big Brother.

According to the popular star: "If they weren't on the tour I'd be gutted. Everyone loves the boys and they just always make you laugh so much. They're just so fun and so full of life. I'm so glad they're getting the respect they deserve now.

"Not one person could say they had worse press or a tougher time than Jedward on the show but at the end of the day they handled it well and didn't fall apart and I think they'll be stronger people because of it."

Olly who jetted into town yesterday to officially launch Vodafone's new campaign, Cheer Up Your Top Up, which allows pre-pay customers up to 40pc off top-ups through January, at the Westbury Hotel, says he can't wait to return to Dublin in March with his X Factor pals.

The 25-year-old heart-throb claims that he and close pal Afro-Jamie, along with his once rumoured love, Stacey Soloman will be hitting some of the city's top celebrity nightspots during their stay.

lnolan@herald.ie