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By ANDREA MAGRATH
Going public: One Direction's Zain Malik puckers up to Belle Amie's Geneva Lane after the X Factor finale last nightThey have been keeping the secret under wraps for weeks under Simon Cowell's strict love ban.
But after the X Factor finale show ended last night, One Direction's Zain Malik and Belle Amie's Geneva Lane promptly went public with their romance.
The pair kissed and held hands in front of photographers as they left the studios together for the last time.
Despite his group getting the boot halfway through the show, 17-year-old Zain certainly didn't look too upset by the defeat, grinning and pulling faces before puckering up to the pretty brunette.
Their three year age gap is obviously not a concern for the pair, as 20-year-old Geneva wrapped her arms around the boy band singer's neck affectionately.
Their fellow contestants were clearly in on the relationship, having lived together in the house up until Belle Amie's elimination.
Stolen kiss: The pair are finally free of Simon Cowell's 'love ban'
Affectionate: The three year age gap does not seem to be a concern for the pair, who cuddled in front of other contestants and crewAfter her girl group was booted from the show back on October 31,Miss Lane relaxed about keeping the relationship quiet, occasionally dropping hints about her feelings for Zain.
But Zain, whose band's fan base is made up of an army of obsessive tween girls, quickly issued a denial on Twitter today.
He wrote: 'Hey fans, just thought I'd let u guys know don't believe the hype we're just friends and that was a friendly kiss.'
X Factor bosses have been known to encourage their contestants to appear available.
Winner Matt Cardle's ex-girlfriend spoke out after he dumped her early in the series, revealing that Matt was told he would better his chances by being single.
Open secret: The couple's relationship was clearly out in the open among their band mates, including One Direction's Niall (left) and Belle Amie's Rebecca (right)Malik might want to inform Miss Lane that it was 'just a friendly kiss' though.
The News of the World reported last month that Geneva let slip on Twitter that there was something going on between her and Zain.
In a Twitter conversation with a friend, Geneva said of Zain: 'We have a thing,' but wouldn't be pressed further.
Last month, when his mentor Simon Cowell jetted off to New York to receive his Emmy award, Zain snuck out of the £3.5million contestants mansion in Mill Hill, north London, to watch ousted Belle Amie sing at a charity gig in London.
No losers here: Despite his band getting the boot halfway through last night's final, Zain did not look too upset as he and Geneva held handsThe teen reportedly broke his 11pm curfew as he spent the evening hanging out with the girls in their dressing room and watching the performance.
Cowell is understood to have issued a strict 'no physical contact' rule on the contestants during their time in the house after romances between past contestants - including last year's Stacey Solomon and Olly Murs, and 2008's Diana Vickers and Eoghan Quigg - blossomed.
Geneva declared her loyalty to Zain and his band mates last night on Twitter, writing: 'Im so f****** proud of you boys, watch out world here comes @onedirection x'
Third place: Zain and his One Direction band mates were devastated when they lost out to final two Matt and Rebecca last nightBut she wasn't feeling so generous a few days ago, when she blasted some of the boy band's fans for trying to contact them through her on the social networking site.
Clearly irritated, she wrote: 'You know, I find it a but disrespectful that some people on here consider me to be a personal assistant to 1D.
'If they dnt follow u wen u ask its bcos they r probs busy, what makes u think that telling me to ask them for u is gonna make a difference?
'Now im not being rude, and i expect to get plenty of abuse for speaking my mind. But would ya cut it out?! SHEESH!' [sic]
Girl trouble: Belle Amie returned to the studios ahead of the final, despite Sophia (left) and Esther (2nd right) reportedly getting into a violent fight on Thursday night
Miss Lane appeared to have gotten over it by the weekend though, and was all smiles as she and her band performed on the show on Saturday night.
Other members of Belle Amie weren't enjoying the festivities quite as much though, as it was revealed that Sophia Wardman and Esther Campbell got into a violent fight after rehearsals on Thursday night.
The Sunday Mirror reported that the girls got into an argument that quickly escalated, and 23-year-old Miss Wardman through a glass of wine at Miss Campbell.
The other girls watched in horror as the glass went towards 17-year-old Campbell's head, cutting her.
X Factor bosses broke up the row and Esther had to be taken to hospital.
While One Direction have been praised for melding as a group and becoming fast friends, Belle Amie struggled to put across a united front during the series.
Despite this, like One Direction, Belle Amie have promised to stay together as a band and even said they planned to move in together post-X Factor.
source: dailymail [endtext]
