X Factor winner Joe McElderry overcame bullying at school, according to a report.
Joe's school friend Carly Dilbert told a Sunday newspaper that McElderry was "teased" about his sexuality and called "mummy's boy" and "gay boy".
She told the Sunday Mirror that Joe had eventually triumphed over the bullies through his sense of humour.
Dilbert claimed: "He hated it. It really upset him. He was adamant he wasn't gay.
"But they kept on saying it. It was just kids being cruel, but it was hurtful to Joe.
"He had tons of female friends. He wasn't into sport or anything like that - and he got bullied because of it.
"The boys would call him names like 'mummy's boy' or 'gay boy' - and laugh at him for hanging around with us girls. All the girls liked Joe more than other boys so maybe it was jealousy."
Carly added: "He won the bullies round with his sense of humour and his funny nature."
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