hair celebrity pics: Waissel's hit the big time: Gig, Jack Daniels and pizza back at the hotel for X Factor's Katie

By GEORGINA LITTLEJOHN

where are you two going? Katie and James arrive back at her hotel after their party night out

She might be the sweet and butter-wouldn't-melt pop star on stage.

But once the lights have gone down and the audience has gone home, Katie Waissel is just a rock chick at heart.

And no true party girl would be without a DJ on her arm

Katie, 24, was snapped in the small hours of the morning arriving back at her hotel in Liverpool with DJ James Massing, an old family friend, after a night at the city's Bumper nightclub.

And although it is unclear whether the pair are an item, they clutched each other's hands as they walked past the cameras and into the hotel.

I'm free! With fellow singer Rebecca Ferguson behind her Katie looks delighted to be heading out to let her hair down

James is a dance music DJ and producer who also DJs at private parties for celebrities such as Tinie Tempah and Pixie Lott and was believed to have been playing at the Bumper club last night.

Katie is in Liverpool on tour with her fellow X Factor finalists as they play three nights at the Echo Arena.

They play there tonight and tomorrow before heading on to Manchester this weekend for two dates at the MEN Arena.

But last night, Katie decided to let her hair down with a night on the tiles at the live music venue.

And partying is not just thirsty work that requires a large bottle of bourbon, but she was also feeling peckish as she carried a pizza box back to her hotel.

Vision in blue: Katie sat crossed legged on the stage as she wowed the Liverpool fans with a ballad during last night's gig

Power to the purple: Paige Richardson and Wagner sported shiny outfits on stage

And earlier in the evening, she took to her Twitter page and wrote: 'At bumper with the gorgeous @djjamesmassing rock on Liverpool!!'

Katie is joined on the tour by Rebecca Ferguson, Mary Byrne, One Direction, Wagner, Paige Richardson and winner Matt Cardle.

They are touring for another month and will also play in Glasgow, Nottingham and Brighton before wrapping it up in Cardiff.