X Factor runner-up Fleur East has dismissed any "rivalry" between her and X Factor winner Ben Haenow.

East finished second to Haenow in the 2014 show, and recently released her debut single, Sax.

Talking at Global media and entertainment's annual charity evening, Make Some Noise, she said reports of a rivalry were definitely "over-egged".

She said: "With me and Ben there's never been any competition. We genuinely really support each other and we're so happy for each other.

"When his music comes on the radio, I get butterflies in my stomach, exactly the same way as when my song comes on.

"There's no rivalry at all."

East and Haenow were both signed to Simon Cowell's label, Syco, following their stints on the X Factor.

She said working with Cowell has been one of the highlights of her year.

East said: "He's a music mogul and his opinion is so valuable to me, so when I hear him say 'I heard Sax and I love it', I've got to pinch myself, this is Simon Cowell."

She also revealed the advice he had given her was to "be myself, to have a voice and to not become a puppet. He's given me a lot of free rein and a lot of creative freedom, he's just let me do my thing."