Cowell surprised by Leona's US number one

Simon Cowell has admitted that he is surprised by Leona Lewis's speedy rise to prominence in the US.

The music mogul has claimed that Leona has world class vocal ability ever since she appeared on The X Factor in 2006, but even he is shocked that she achieved success in America so quickly.

Leona's single 'Bleeding Love' topped the US Billboard chart this week. She is the first British female artist to reach number one in the States in over 20 years.

"To say this has happened quickly is the understatement of the year," Cowell explained. "We were getting calls saying: 'This record is on fire', and: 'It's going to chart high'. Then we got one saying: 'It's gone in at No.1'. Nobody expected that.

"The amazing thing is I would say that 98% of people in America still don't know who Leona Lewis is!"