[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

[x_mel_x]

Leona has 2 win!!shes amazin

[Jay]

She's amazing at the moment the only person that can get in the way of her winning is Ben, but at the moment she's untouchable.

[Siouxsie]

I think she will probably win suppose we need a girl too but i prefer Ben By the way is his throat ok for tonight ?

[SiMoN!]

simon has said that so her fans vote more for her

[Noopie]

I really hope she can!!

[Ruth*Star]

I hope she wins too, i really want a female to win this year.

[Princess]

I really really hope she does win this year. She deserves it more than loads of the others.