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Thousands of Eoghan Quigg fans lined the streets of Dungiven to welcome him home after he wowed judges and viewers alike with his performances on ITV's X-Factor.
And, as the teenager returned home just in time for Christmas, speculation was mounting last night that the 16-year-old St Patrick's College student may have rekindled his romance with fellow contestant Diana Vickers.
Their on-off relationship has kept everyone guessing, with the pair frequently making headlines throughout the competition as the press clamoured to get an exclusive on the couple.
And while it was reported last week that they had called it a day, with the Dungiven lad said to be gutted, the crowds at yesterday's homecoming parade appeared sure that they are still an item.
Daryl O'Hara (11), Steven O'Neill (12) and Conor Jeffrey (12), are all from Dungiven and are related to the X-Factor star.
Steven said: “I was talking to him today already and I'm best friends with his wee brother, Dylan, and he said he's definitely going with Diana.
“Eoghan is pure dead on. I can't believe all the things he has got to do, like meeting Daniel Craig.
“He should have won.
“You have to admit that Alexandra is a good singer but we still wanted Eoghan to win.”
Zara McAleece, who travelled from Dungannon for the celebration, said: “I've been speaking to a couple of people who know him today and they all say he's back with Diana.
“I hope so because they seem like such a lovely couple.
“Eoghan is such an amazing singer.
“He did so well that I had to come up today to see him.”
While the 16-year-old singing sensation failed to clinch the £1m record deal in the programme's live final, his performances throughout the competition have firmly establish him as a star |in the making and the turnout yesterday demonstrated that he has become a firm favourite with the people of Dungiven, and Northern Ireland.
