Burke: 'I still have to pinch myself'

Alexandra Burke has admitted that she still cannot believe she won The X Factor.

The 21-year-old, who triumphed in the 2008 series of the show, told The Sun that she still has to "pinch" herself.

"The label told me to take five days off the other day and I don't want to do it," she said. "I've worked so hard to get here and I don't want to stop.

"I still have to pinch myself that I'm here."

She added: "I can't believe it's almost two years since I won. The show has given people so many opportunities. It's a great platform and I have amazing memories."

Burke revealed that she is looking forward to the new series, which begins on ITV1 tomorrow night.

"I'm really excited to see how everything goes on this series of The X Factor," she said. "I had goosebumps when I saw the advert this week."

> Burke: 'I wanted to come out of my box'