Secret affair: Cher Lloyd 'smitten' with One Direction's Zain Malik - despite Simon Cowell's 'love ban'

By Jody Thompson

Cher Lloyd has found love with fellow X Factor finalist Zain Malik - despite Simon Cowell's 'love ban' amongst the show's contestants.

The fragile 17-year-old has been trying to keep her blossoming romance with the One Direction heart-throb - also 17 - secret to avoid the show boss's wrath.

But it has emerged that Simon found out about it almost as soon as they got together - but has chosen to ignore it rather than give them a rollicking over the relationship.


Young love: One Direction's Zain Malik, left, is said to be equally smitten with Cher Lloyd, while the boyband's Louis Tomlinson, right, is thought to be in a secret relationship with old school friend Hannah Walker


Smitten: The 17-year-old wannabe stars got together after the Judges' Houses


Cowell issued an edict early on in the competition that he would not tolerate any physical contact between contestants this year.

But a source told the News Of The World: 'Cher and Zain are very much an item. Neither of them are your typical X Factor contestant. They're not prepared to change their image or compromise who they are.'

The pair apparently got together after they'd got through the Judges' Houses stage of the show and made the live finals.


Tears: The 17-year-old broke down in tears on last night's X Factor after singing the Shakespears Sister song Stay


Since living together in the contestant's £3.5million rented mansion in Mill Hill, north London, the pair have become less guarded however.

Last week, they apparently became the talk of the house when they kissed in front of fellow contestants.

However, mentor Cheryl Cole is said to be worried about what will happen if the young sweethearts split while still competing in the live finals.

Cher is already an emotionally fraught young girl, as demonstrated when she broke down in tears live on the show last night after singing her version of Shakespears Sister's Stay.


Fan favourites: One Direction had the girls screaming on X Factor last night when they did a spooky Halloween themed cover of Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse Of The Heart


It's the second time the teen from Malvern in Worcestershire has dissolved in tears on camera.

She caused controversy after breaking down at the Judges' Houses stage of the show and failing to sing her audition song - but was put through to the live finals anyway at the expense of Gamu Nhengu.

It's also being reported that One Direction - who last night covered Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse Of The Heart and who Cowell also mentors - are sitting on two more secret relationships.


Forbidden love: As well as Zain, Liam Payne, second from left, and Lousi Tomlinson, far right, are also in secret relationships despite Simon Cowell's 'love ban'


Apparently, Louis Tomlinson is dating former Doncaster schoolmate and fellow 18-year-old Hannah Walker.

Meanwhile Liam Payne, 17, is said to be with childhood sweetheart Shannon Murphy, 16.
However, rumours that Matt Cardle had bedded Katie Waissel turned out to be false - with Matt furiously accusing Katie of making up the story for the tabloids.

source:dailymail