Leona Lewis

Leona Lewis is the winner of the third series of The X Factor in 2006. The Islington-born performer is of Afro-Guyanese, Welsh, Irish and Italian descent.

Leona began her passion for music at a young age as her parents enrolled her in the Sylvia Young Theatre School. She then went on to study at the Italia Conti Academy and The BRIT School.

After her studies, at the age of 18 she recorded a demo album entitled Twilight. She tried to secure a record deal by working hard but never managed to land a contract. This struggle prompted her to enter The X Factor.

Leona auditioned with 'Over the Rainbow' for the talent contest and was taken under the wing of Simon Cowell as her mentor. Her triumph on the show gained her a £1 million record deal as well as the winner's single 'A Moment Like This' which became the 2006 Christmas Number One after it was downloaded 50,000 times in thirty minutes, breaking a world record.

Her debut album Spirit included her second single 'Bleeding Love' as well as other hits 'Better in Time', 'Footprints in the Sand' and 'I Will Be'. The album was a huge success, winning a MOBO in 2008 for Best Album.

Leona appeared as a guest judge on the 2012 series of The X Factor.