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Rylan Clark may have failed to win over the X Factor judges (well, Gary Barlow at least), but he has found an unlikely pal in British actor, Sir Ian McKellan.
The duo - one, a dodgy singer from Essex, the other a celebrated actor of stage and screen - struck up a friendship at this week's Attitude awards. Tabloid sources claim that McKellan, who won a legion of young fans with his roles in the X Men movies and of course Lord Of The Rings, was the one who approached the X Factor wannabe and told him of his support for his reality show bid.
"Rylan went to the Attitude awards on Tuesday night and was half expecting to just get more abuse," said a source to The Sun newspaper. "Everywhere he goes people give him stick but this was the complete opposite.
“Sir Ian McKellen of all people came up to him and said he was a huge fan and hoped he did well on the show.
"They swapped numbers and Rylan couldn’t believe his luck when Sir Ian said he’d be happy to offer him some advice."
Rylan clark leaves the Attitude Awards with Lucy Spraggan
Rylan Clark was the initial source of suggestions that judge Gary Barlow may quit the show, after he walked off stage during the first night of live finals on this year's show. The Take That star was shocked and disappointed when Rylan, seen by many as this year's 'joke' act on the show, was saved by the public over country and western singer Carolynne Poole.
Clark has made headlines with his antics off stage as well, after he was this week booted out of London hotel The Corinthia along with fellow contestant Lucy Spraggan for their drunken behaviour.
"Oh God, the hotel were not happy with that kind of press," Clark told Heatworld earlier this week. "I’m holed up in a hotel in Wembley for five days. I’ve got to behave myself.
"I can’t believe it. I was so drunk, but I said I’d do it and I f**king did it."
Watch Rylan Clark's drunken outburst below
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