Simon Cowell 'buys Burke Chanel handbag'

Simon Cowell used his influence to skip a year-long waiting list and buy Alexandra Burke a designer Chanel handbag for her birthday, it has been claimed.

Cowell is said to have known that last year's X Factor winner had admired the bag and used his connections to make sure that he could get it in time for her 21st.

An insider said: "Simon knew Alex had admired this bag, and so pulled out all the stops to get it for her. Alex was completely over the moon."

Fellow X Factor judge Cheryl Cole is believed to have bought Burke a luxury trip to the Constance Lémuria resort in the Seychelles.