Cowell insists 'X Factor' isn't fixed

Simon Cowell has denied claims that X Factor has been fixed for Leona Lewis to win.

The show's judge, who is mentoring Leona, has insisted that he expects Ben Mills to win the contest - and has a £1,000 bet riding on the rocker's success.

"There is no fix. Everyone wants their act to win, but I genuinely think Ben will win and I’ll be very happy if he does," Cowell told The Sun. "I’ve got a £1,000 bet with Sharon that he will win."

He added: "If we have Ben and Leona in the final it’ll be the best final ever. The whole point is to find a successful recording artist. We want a star to emerge from this show."