Olly Murs has spoken out on the controversial relationship between his Xtra Factor colleague and One Direction's Harry Styles.

The pair dated after meeting on the X Factor in 2010 but their 15-year age gap was widely criticised.

Olly Murs told The Sun that he felt "sorry" for the backlash endured by Flack at the hands of angry One Direction fans.

However, he revealed that the pair are still friends and that they get on "really well". The 'Oh My Goodness' singer said:

"I felt sorry for her, going through that. It was really tough on her and Harry. Even now they're really good mates and get on really well."

He continued: "People just assume she's something that she's not. All she did was fancy someone who was younger than her. For someone close to both of them, it wasn't nice to watch."