Kevin McHale says Vinnie Jones is like family after their 'X Factor: Celebrity' journey.

Kevin McHale

Kevin McHale

The former 'Glee' actor described the 54-year-old hard-man as a "national treasure" for offering to step aside to let him advance in the competition over the weekend, even if Simon Cowell stopped it from happening.

Kevin, 31, told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "He's a good dude. I think he showed that. Vinnie is terrifying but he's also the sweetest guy.

"Earlier in the day, he was asking about my boyfriend and whether we wanted kids - he's the loveliest dude.

"He's like a pitbull where people are intimidated by the size, but he's really sweet ... it's really funny. In my family pictures there's me and Vinnie."

Kevin had kind words for Vinnie after he tried to drop out following the sing-off between the pair.

He added: "He said he felt like he'd completed the journey. We were both at peace with where we ended up.

"It wasn't overly emotional. We were both like, 'We did a great job.' "

Vinnie told the judges - Simon, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh - that the show "was everything he needed since his wife died".

He added: "Simon, I feel that I've had a fantastic time. I've really enjoyed it. It's been everything I needed since my wife's passing. This guy is a real singer. I think he can win it. For his career, I'd like to step down."

However, Simon "insisted" he would like Vinnie to stay and would "like to make the final decision, regardless".

In the sing-off, Vinnie impressed Nicole with his performance of 'The Galway Shawl', whilst Louis chose to save his act Kevin.

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