<p><br /> Cheryl Cole's protégé Joe McElderry is staying tight-lipped about his mentor's rumoured love life.<br /> </p><p><br /> When asked if he had met her "new boyfriend" Derek Hough he replied: "Well, I don't know if it's her fella or not but he seems like a nice man."<br /> </p><p><br /> Last week X Factor choregpraher Brian Friedman declared the pair were "a lovely couple", although Cheryl's camp maintain they are just good friends.<br /> </p><p><br /> The singer and US professional dancer have been inseparable since Cheryl's split from husband Ashley Cole in February.<br /> </p><p><br /> They have not even been snapped holding hands, but specualtion about their alleged romance continues to grow.<br /> </p>
