Growing up, we didn’t have anything. My mum wasn’t well, so I was in three care homes then foster homes before me and my little brother went back to her. I was passed from pillar...

I took lessons since I was little; I used to pay for my own singing lessons and take myself. Just take the bus when I was a kid and go. But I’d been writing music...

I’m not afraid of a rant, am I? I’ve got to that point where I’ve just become a woman; I think I’ve just grown.

I love getting dressed up.

I love hats and winter is the perfect time for them. I love winter time fashion.

I’m able to provide for my family and the people that I love with things that I never used to be able to. I’m getting to make music and work with amazing people. I just...

My advice is, if you are going to go on ‘X Factor,’ you have to know who you are as an artist.

I was looking for something to make me happy, and once I realised what I actually had, then I found success.

Constantly having to think about money is not nice. People used to say, ‘Being rich doesn’t make you happy’. And I’d think, ‘I’ve got no electricity, nothing – tell that to my empty fridge’.

It wasn’t until my late teens that I really got into soul music and then I was like ‘Ooh, this is good!’ You’d always here it at old family parties, like, Gladys Knight and I’d...

My family are too grounded, and I will go home to visit. I always need my dose of Liverpool to keep me grounded.

I’d definitely like more kids when I’m older. And I think I’m like every woman in that I’d like to get married one day.

I’ve just grown as a person, accepting my flaws as well. Before I was very insecure and I used to just hide, and now I just accept that I’m an imperfect human.

When I was on the X-Factor, I found that I grew a lot as a performer. I knew I could sing but I didn’t believe in myself enough… I needed to hear that I was...

I think this industry can be tough on everyone. You have to surround yourself with supportive people and know when to put your foot down and do what’s best for you and your family. The...

If you haven’t got love, you’ve got nothing.

The first time I had money, I was extravagant, but then you realise it’s not just about that. If I lost it all tomorrow, it wouldn’t be me that’s hurt, it would be my babies....

I was naive in that I thought I could just sing and perform and do what I had always wanted to do all my life. But I wasn’t ready for all the added dramas that...

My first album is a lot of my personal experiences. I wanted people to relate to what I’ve been through.

If you are not happy with the song, don’t sing it. Simple as that – no-one forces you to do it.

I’ve got a running machine which I try and use, but it’s just finding the time. Don’t get me wrong, I love cake and ice cream; I’m the kind of girl that, if I want...

People think that because of my nature and the tone of my voice that I’m stupid, and that’s hard.

I knew I could sing. That one thing I did believe in was that I could sing, but then constantly getting rejected, it started to get me down. But my voice was always there and...

I absolutely love Nicole Scherzinger. She’s worked really hard to get to where she is and really knows her stuff.

You meet someone, you care for them, and you fall in love; it’s what it is.

If you are going to survive in business, show business or any business, then you have to be bold.

I don’t really read books. Wish I did.

I am lucky in that I love what I do, but it can still be hard to be away from the kids for long lengths of time. At the end of the day, all I...

I think being a mum gives you extra qualities. I’m more feisty, fiercely protective and less selfish. The main trait I want to instill in my kids is kindness. I think it’s the most important...

I don’t tend to lie. If I do, it’s a little one. Like, ‘I’m only around the corner…’ when really I’m 10 minutes away.

I can’t watch my first audition because it makes me too upset. I just think it is really sad. I look at myself and don’t recognize myself. I do think fame and fortune changes people.

You have to be really strong in the music industry, and I’m naturally very timid. That was really hard for me. You have to be tough. You have to make decisions and be a businesswoman.

I like Marilyn Monroe; she was super glam, weren’t she?

I like listening to old soul music. I like Sam Cooke. When I was growing up, the first things I was listening to was Whitney Houston and Cher. They were really big inspirations for me.

I’m a better writer than I am a singer, and I express myself easily through writing.

I like to write poetry.