[Red Moon]

'I'd rather face Simon Cowell than I'm A Celeb's gruesome bugs', says Simon Webbe's X Factor reject girlfriend

As Simon Webbe endures a second week in the Australian bush for reality show I'm A Celebrity, girlfriend Layla Manoocheri says she'd rather face X Factor judge Simon Cowell, than the creepy crawlies endured by the campmates.

The pretty 22-year-old singer who was a part of X Factor finalists Girlband has flown out to be with the former boy band star to wait for him until he leaves camp.

She revealed that Simon, 29, was encouraged to go on the show after seeing what she went through on the top-rated ITV show.

'He saw me going through all this stuff and that’s when he got the courage to sign up, although I’m A Celebrity is a completely different show to X-Factor', said the pretty brunette from Birmingham.

'He faces bugs and creepy crawlies – and I face Simon Cowell. Mind you, I think I’d rather face Simon Cowell any day over those gruesome bugs.'

Layla who has been going out Simon for four years said she is missing her hunky boyfriend, and has been keeping an eye out for the former Blue singer's secret love code.

'He’s got a secret code that tells me he’s thinking about me, but I haven’t seen him do it yet. He holds up his hand in an L, which signifies Layla or love – or maybe even both.'

Simon has been seen showering with WAG Nicola, with whom he seems particularly close.

But Layla, who is tipping Simon and Joe to make the final said: 'I’m used to girls fancying Simon. Even though he’s a very friendly guy, he makes it clear to everybody that he’s got a girlfriend.

'There are a lot of girls out there who fancy him. I guess that’s a compliment to me because I think he’s gorgeous, too.

'I’m not embarrassed about seeing him strip off for the jungle shower. He looks great in his trunks.'

Layla may get the chance to see him before he leaves as there are rumours producers are considering letting a friend or family member visit the camp.

She said she would have mixed feelings about going, but said: 'I’m frightened of all the snakes and creatures in the jungle but if it meant I could see Simon I’d tough it out.'

Layla met Simon when she was picked up by the same management team as boy band Blue.

She worked with the band as a backing singer on tour in Germany and Italy in 2004, which is when she found love with the group’s singer.

Since touring with Blue, Layla has gone on to star in the West End and write music, co-writing Lisa Stansfield’s Treat Me Like A Woman.

Source and Pictures: Daily Mail