Marcus, 23, strongly denies that they're more than friends.
The talented former hairdresser from Liverpool hopes his success on The X Factor will allow him to give his mum Tracy, who raised him as a single parent, a better life.
He says: ‘My mum had four jobs at one point.'
Marcus has also revealed that mentor Gary Barlow, 40, has offered to write a song for him.
‘We're close friends now,' he explains.
‘He's someone who'll be in my life for a long time.'
Read more about Marcus Collins in Now magazine dated 14 December - out now!
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