[Harry!]

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/

The winner of The X Factor and the voice behind Christmas No. 1 When You Believe a.k.a. Leon Jackson will be leading the pack when the reality show finalists come to Nottingham Arena next year. EG caught up with him.

AN 18-year-old Scotsman is sat in front of dozens of cameras and members of the press, and opposite pop babe Dannii Minogue. He probably wouldn?t be the only boy his age to struggle to get his words out in such a situation.
"Oh, honestly, I just... I don't know, I just..." he blurts, before sighing in an attempt to compose himself.
But this is no longer the shy teenager from a small town in West Lothian, who worked in a clothing store and lived at home with his mum.
"I've just got a £1 million record deal!"
This is Leon Jackson, who just an hour previously had been announced as the shock winner of ITV1 talent show The X Factor. For most of the series, the bookies seemed certain the title would go to operatic Welshman Rhydian Roberts, who was visibly distraught when the surprise result was called out.
It seems the news still hasn't sunk in for Leon himself.
"Obviously I've just changed me and my mum?s life forever. I?ve got a record deal! I'm just stunned, absolutely stunned."
And it seems beating Rhydian in particular has left him overwhelmed. A few minutes later a gradually more confident Leon articulates his feeling of shock:
"I certainly think that me and Rhydian are drastically different. I mean he comes from a classical opera background and I've just done some karaoke!"
And it's unsurprising he is keen to dedicate the victory to his proud mum Wendy.
"I said I'd always look after my mum and treat my mum. She's never asked for anything -- I've never been in a position to give her anything. She's obviously looked after me all my life but I'd just love to treat her to a nice house or something."
Leon's mentor and X Factor judge Dannii Minogue (also unsurprisingly) heaped praise on the youngster, and emphasised the massive improvement he has made since the start of the series, where viewers saw him audition in Glasgow.
"It was funny because when we were in Ibiza, I heard a special quality in Leon?s voice and I really wanted to give him a go, and I said to him, 'if you don't believe in yourself, just remember I believe in you, so just get up there and give it a shot," the singer and former actress exclaims, in reference to the boot-camp stage of the competition.
"The only time Leon ever faltered with his vocals was when he was not sure about himself, and that's understandable under the pressure. The minute he took hold of the reins and went, 'Yeah! This is my shot at it!', you couldn't fault him."
During the X Factor run Leon has already had to deal with the Press to an extent, and even handle rumours of a romantic link with co-contestant Emily Biggs, of girl band Hope. It appears he's almost used to speculation when he again denies the stories.
"They made this story up in the press and exaggerated it a wee bit," he says.
"I'm not denying the fact that I've got a lot of time for her as a friend -- we're similar ages and we've similar interests and stuff -- but we're just friends."
Another recurring theme throughout the show has been Leon's Whitburn roots and a loyal support from his Scottish fan base. But the teenager is also keen to play this down. "Obviously I'm proud of where I come from -- especially being from a small town in Scotland. If I told you where I stayed you'd probably never ever recognise it. For such a small town to produce talent on such a big scale, it's spectacular and I'm just really pleased I've done my country proud and been the first Scot winner."




The X Factor tour comes to Nottingham Arena on Wednesday February 27. Tickets are £26 from the venue, by calling 0870 121 0123 or online at www.nottingham-arena.com