Age is just a number, they say. But if age were just a number, then it would be acceptable for a baby to stand for a General Election, a five-year-old to go on a seven day binge drink bender, or, in our case today, a 24-year-old mother to start shagging a freshly-turned 18-year-old boy. You see, sometimes age can also be the figure which defines the length of time you've lived since your birth. And that's why it seems a little bit wrong for Rebecca Ferguson to be getting it on with young Zain Malik...

According to the News Of The World, the pair have become an item during the ongoing X Factor tour. Rebecca is 24, while Zain, from yoof band One Direction, turned 18 back in January.

We're not going all Daily Mail and screaming from the highest mountain that they should both be publicly executed for such a shocking relationship - they can legally fuck, after all - we just find it a bit, err, weird. Especially seeing as she is mother to two young children.

Chances are that it's bullshit anyway. In fact, we give the story a  27% believability factor. Particularly as all the tabloid has to back up its 'exclusive' story is a couple of customary quotes from a so-called 'insider', who apparently said:

"This relationship could damage Rebecca's career. She's seen as the devoted mum who doesn't have time for relationships, especially with a teenager.

 

And One Direction girl fans will hate the thought of Zain having a relationship with someone older."

Zain's already been punching above his weight though, previously dating 20-year-old Geneva Lane from fellow X Factor band, Belle Amie. Fancies himself as a bit of a lad then, doesn't he? Why can't he do what the rest of his band members, such as Harry, do, and pick up the numbers of same-aged groupies then treat them to nights of passion in Premier Inns around the country (TRUFAX!).

Nonetheless, it's not entirely implausible. And Rebecca's latest tweet only added flames to the fire...

"#quoteoftheday happiness is the outcome of accepting yourself not seeking the approval of other people but loving who you are #liveforyou xxx"

Whatever that means.