EastEnders’ Ian Beale actor Adam Woodyatt consoles Sam Bailey after she’s dropped by Simon Cowell

Good ol’ Ian Beale. As if he hasn’t got enough to deal with in his own life (can we remind you about the whole ‘who killed Lucy Beale’ malarkey), he's been offering support to his good pal Sam Bailey after she got dropped from Simon Cowell’s record label earlier this week.

EastEnders' Ian – who is obviously not real, but actually an actor called Adam Woodyattt – consoled Sam backstage at her Oxford concert on Sunday.

A source told* The Sun:* “Sam and Adam became pals after playing in a celebrity football tournament together.

“He was a big supporter of hers on The X Factor and wanted to make sure she was doing OK.”

So what happened, Sam?

Despite having a bestselling album, Sam is no longer under the watchful eye of Mr Cowell, with a source telling* The Sun:* “Music is a tough business. Simon realises most* X Factor* winners have a short shelf life.”

A spokesman added: “Sam Bailey is no longer with Syco.”

However, Sam isn’t going to let this little blip get her down and is determined to carry on in showbiz, saying: “I’m really grateful for everything* X Factor* has done for me.

“I’m going straight into the studio to write after the tour.

“I would also maybe like to get into acting and I would love to do* Strictly Come Dancing.”*

She added: “I’m happy I got my house extension – that’s what I entered the competition for.”

Who killed Lucy Beale?