X Factor’s Brad Howard praises ‘beautiful’ ex Michelle Keegan as he reveals he’s dating Lydia Calvin
X FACTOR hunk Brad Howard has gushed over his “gorgeous” ex girlfriend Michelle Keegan and praised her “amazing” success.
The singer appeared on today’s Lorraine show to chat about progressing to the Six Chair Challenge stage of the ITV contest, yet host Lorraine Kelly swiftly brought up his love life in the process.
She started off by talking about how the brunette model had found love with fellow X Factor hopeful Lydia Calvin, and then followed up with the comment: “You used to go out with lovely Michelle.”
Brad, who looked trendy in a salmon pink shirt, replied: “A long time ago, she’s a beautiful girl Michelle.
“She’s a great girl. Fair play to her, she’s doing amazing.”
Continuing to heap praise on Michelle, who became a Coronation Street favourite in her role as Tina McIntyre, he said: “She’s a great girl and got a lovely personality.”
He added he had watched the soap star, now happily married to Towie’s Mark Wright, in her gritty BBC drama our Girl after dating the actress for two years, prior to their 2010 split.
Meanwhile, he was equally full of praise for new girl Lydia.
He told Lorraine: “Shes an amazing girl
“I met Lydia at the hotel where we were staying on the second day.”
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Agreeing with host Lorraine that the budding popstar is “gorgeous” he added: “She is, she is beautiful and she’s got a good personality.
“We kind of just clicked straight away.
“I was there for a couple of weeks so we spent a lot of time together.
“It was nice, we just get on, it’s somebody you can confide in.
“She was there for the same reason as me. it was nice to meet her.”
Recently, The Sun Online was first to report how Brad is set to become a huge star after making it through to The X Factor Six Chair Challenge.
The wannabe actor is now trying his hand at music and he’s already tipped for success.
A source has told us Brad faced a tough test last week as he was taken through to the dreaded Six Chair Challenge, which forces the judges to make brutal decisions about who to take through.
The insider said: “Brad made it to the Six Chair Challenge. This is the start of big things for him with The X Factor as he is now a step closer to the live rounds.
“He has a lot of talent and is determined to make it big as a musician.”
If the contestants make it through the gruelling stage, they win a coveted place in the judges’ houses, which takes them within grasping distance of the live rounds.
The Six Chair Challenge was filmed at Wembley Arena in London last week, and Brad hinted at his success in a cryptic Instagram post.
He appeared to share a picture from backstage, which showed him sitting on a box of musical equipment, and told pals it is “just the start”.
Brad wrote: “Lost track of days, time & life itself but boi had the sickest time of my LIFE…
“Spent with some absolute legends… #JustTheStart.”
Brad’s Instagram was flooded with messages of congratulations from his friends and family as they said well done for making it so far.
His mum Lisa wrote: “You have always made me proud but the last few weeks you have amazed and astonished me, Love you #proudmum.”
She was at Wembley to support him along with the rest of the family, and she shared some pictures from the audience.
Brad also shared a snap of himself outside the arena with Wembley Stadium’s famous arch in the background.
The former actor uploaded it to Instagram and wrote in the caption: “Surreal” and added a picture of a wave.
Brad was previously lined up for a stint in a different reality show this year – Love Island.
The Sun revealed producers had approached him about taking a place in the saucy show, which proved to be the TV sensation of the summer.
Fans will now have to wait until the autumn to get their first glimpse of Brad on The X Factor.
The Sun Online has approached a representative for The X Factor for comment.
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