Shayne Ward has said he doesn’t listen to the haters who suggest it was a stunt casting him in Coronation Street.

The 31–year-old won The X Factor in 2005 but his career failed to take off after the fanfare had died down, and last year he joined the cobbles as Aidan Connor.

Shayne – who scooped the Best Newcomer gong at the TV Choice Awards – dismissed claims that it was “stunt casting”.

He told fans: “The thing is, just ignore that. Because to me, that’s lazy journalism to say ‘it’s stunt casting’.”

Shayne said he had to try out, just like everybody else.

He said: “I auditioned like everybody else, waited the length of time for my management to receive the phone call to give it a yes or a no and I got a yes.

“I’ve been basically focused on bringing Aiden Connor to life ever since and again, I don’t listen to the haters, I don’t listen to the people who are negative about it.”

Shayne said he sometimes gets a negative reaction on Twitter but isn’t too worried.

“I love the power of block!” he said.

“Every now and again I let them have their say – sometimes I put a humorous reply back to them rather then getting annoyed at it because there’s no point. It’s just social media.

“Unfortunately it can make or break some people.”