Sam Callahan has denied any romance between him and fellow X Factor contestant Tamera Foster.

The 19-year-old barman, the latest singer to be voted out of the ITV competition after a sing-off with Luke Friend, said they are just "close" friends who often confide in each other.

"I'm still single, she's still single. We're just really close," he said.

"She's a beautiful girl but we're just really close. I can talk to her about anything, and she can talk to me too. Same as me and Nicky (Nicholas McDonald) but there are no rumours about us kissing."

Sam teased: "I'll definitely be seeing more of her and the boys after the show."

The Essex-born singer also joked about giving Miley Cyrus a "twerk-off" when she performed on last night's show.

"I didn't get to speak to her. I was gutted. I wanted to give her a twerking contest!" he quipped.

The former model admitted going up against Luke , who is in the same category, in the sing-off was tough.

"It was a nightmare. The boys are my closest mates in the house - I shared a room with them for two months. I love Luke and I didn't want it to go either way," he said.

He said being eliminated in the sixth week was more than he ever expected.

"I've thought for ages that I would have been going out (of the competition). I tried to be really positive and upbeat about it all and think I'm going through (week after week), but it's hard to think that when I never thought I would go through to the live shows. To be in there with those amazing contestants, it really was something to go that far," he continued.

Sam, who is now tipping Tamera, Luke or Nicholas to win the show, said it has been an unforgettable experience.

"I love it all. This is what I've always wanted to do. I came into the competition knowing full well what it was going to be like, how tough it would be and how hard I would have to work. If I was worried about any of it, I wouldn't have come into the competition."

Even the often harsh criticism from head judge Gary Barlow hasn't put him off from pursuing a singing career.

"Gary is a great guy, I have so much respect for him. When he gave me those comments, all I can do is take them on board," he said.

Sam, who will join the other finalists on The X Factor tour in 2014, hopes to follow in the footsteps of singers such as Olly Murs and Robbie Williams.

"The tour's going to be amazing. This is such an opportunity for me," he said.

"Olly Murs is an absolute idol of mine and he literally went through the same thing including the criticism, and he's come out on top even though he didn't win. So I'm going to take on board everything he's told me. Robbie Williams is another idol. There are lots more people I want to speak to."