[Arneldo]

Simon Cowell has admitted that he is worried about whether Leona Lewis can win The X Factor.

The show's judge, who described Leona's performance last week as "world class", has started to doubt whether the public will vote for a female winner for the first time.

"There's still something that bothers me because historically girls don’t win these competitions," Cowell explained. "I’ve seen this happen before. When you vote for someone like Leona it’s like you’ve had a hand in her career. You’ve helped launch somebody who may do very well. Just as easily you can snuff it out."

However, despite Simon's doubts, Leona was praised by special guests Westlife when she met the singers this week.

"We've done a duet with Mariah Carey in the past but I think if Leona was singing Mariah’s part she’d fit in well," Shane Filan admitted. "She could be up there with Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, any of them."

The X Factor airs at 6.50pm and 8.50pm tonight on ITV1.

DS