AFTER the switch on of Rochdale's Christmas lights, Observer reporter Helen Johnson was invited back stage to East bar in South Parade to meet X Factor star Jamie Archer.

There he revealed that he first learned he was to perform at the switch-on after reading about it on the Observer's website.

The singer says his post X Factor schedule has been so hectic that the news had already broken before anyone had chance to tell him. He came across the link to the Observer's home page on his Facebook page.

During an interview with Helen, and reporters from the Observer's sister radio station Real Radio, Jamie revealed that he is now backing his pal Olly Murs to win the show and that Danyl has a talent for dance which has yet to be fully revealed.

He also said that rumours of a feud between him and mentor Simon Cowell had been blown out of proportion in the national press and that, despite their clashes over song choices, he is full of respect and love for him.

Jamie says he wasn't frightened of Simon - something which earned the 33-year-old the respect of the pop impresario.

He said: "I defy anyone to say they have never had a disagreement at work. It doesn't mean you don't go for a drink with them after work and make up afterwards. In terms of song choices, he had his ideas and I had mine. Then I'd go to his dressing room and and we'd have a laugh. It was ridiculous reading the stuff in the papers.  I don't fear Simon Cowell, like so many people did. I respect him and love him so much."

Jamie, who sipped a whiskey and coke backstage at East, says he is now looking forward to getting back to his rock roots, after admitting that he didn't always feel comfortable with his performances on the show.

He is due to take part in the X Factor live tour early next year, but after that is planning to start recording his own album.

He also pledged to continue to champion the X Factor and says he'll never try to disassociate himself from it like some other former contestants have.

He added: "A lot of people want to shed the X Factor label, but I'm so proud of everything it's done for me. X Factor really is the start of my career."

He also revealed that he would have least liked to have gone up against Joe in a sing-off, because his voice is 'perfect' every week.

Jamie then spent almost an hour meeting and signing autographs for his young fans – including one little boy who went home with Jamie's name signed along the entire length of his arm.

The laid back singer was happy to pose for pictures with his adult fans too but drew the line when it came to meddling with superstition.

Helen explains; "I told Jamie about our Shop Local campaign- and I was hoping to get a picture of him with our new 'Shop Local' branded umbrellas which we launched earlier that night.  Jamie was a bit concerned about opening the umbrella inside but he didn't mind going outside to do it. It worked out well because there were some young fans who had waited around for Jamie and they were thrilled to see him."

Later on, Helen temporarily forgot her manners and cheekily asked if a text message Jamie received was from Simon Cowell but it was actually from his girlfriend Coco Lloyd, singer with the group Kandy Rain, whom he met on the show.

Helen added: "I'm pleased to report that Jamie was very down to Earth and had a lot of time and patience for all his supporters, especially the little ones."