Leona: 'Cowell is like my uncle'

Leona Lewis has likened her X Factor mentor Simon Cowell to an uncle.

She told Parade magazine that she treats Cowell and US record company chief Clive Davis like family.

"I wouldn't label them as my godfathers, more like my uncles!" she said.

The 'Bleeding Love' singer admitted that she regrets the loss of privacy brought on by fame and relies on her family and friends to lend her support.

She said: "A performer's privacy is taken away. You can't make your mistakes in private. I have the advantage of a great support structure. I get honest opinions from my family and friends.

"They aren't always telling me what I want to hear, but the truth helps keep my head straight."