[Red Moon]

Leon's Xmas Whiff List

Hundreds Of Fans Queue For Chance To Meet X Factor Winner Star In Gift Dilemma

HE'S set to top the festive charts - but all Leon Jackson wants for Christmas is "a smell set".

Last night, the X Factor winner was welcomed by hundreds of screaming fans as he arrived at the shopping centre where he used to work.

Some had queued overnight in freezing conditions to see him arrive back at the Almondale Shopping Centre in Livingston.

Leon revealed if he got the chance, he'd be doing Christmas shopping for mum Wendy there.

And he revealed: "My mum's cursing me because she has not been able to do her Christmas cleaning or shopping.

"She said she didn't know what to get me but I said just get me a smell set."

Whitburn lad Leon said: "This past couple of days have been crazy. I can't wait to get home for Christmas.

"We'll have a normal Christmas dinner and open presents but I've not had a chance to think about buying them yet.

"It'll be something spur of the moment, probably vouchers or a smell set, you can't go wrong with something like that."

He added: "New Year will just be family orientated. Steak pie and peas after the bells.

"I just spend it with my mum, my gran goes to bed. We sit up watch the telly and my mum makes me go out the door to first foot her and then go to bed. I've never gone to a party or anything."

Leon said he hoped to co-write sings the future - and would love th opportunity to per form with Scots/Italian singer Paolo Nutini, left.

He said: "I love his songs and to sing with him would be an absolute pleasure."

More than 600 supporters were lined outside the shopping centre when it opened at 7am yesterday.

Their prize was one of 750 wrist bands which gave them access to their hero when he turned up to sign copies of his first single and perform onstage.

Leon used to work in the centre's Gap store.

Fans Linzi Doran and Kirsty Tippett travelled from their homes in Glasgow on Tuesday night to be first in line.

Linzi, 19, said: "It was really cold, absolutely freezing and I didn't get any sleep. We got our wristbands and that makes it all worth it." Most of the hundreds in the queue were desperate to get their hands on Leon's single When You Believe which went on sale yesterday.

Bookies are now calling the single a surefire Christmas No1.

Jennifer Bruce, Almondvale marketing manager, said: "It just goes to show the massive support for Leon. Everyone loves him."

Yesterday, Leon fans hit back over the storm of protest from Wales over Rhydian Roberts's defeat in the X Factor.

They claim, like, Rhydian's fans, that they couldn't get through on the phonelines to vote for for their favourite. And Real Radio star Robin Galloway vowed to ban all Welsh artists from his breakfast show until Wales calmed down.

He said: "They need to get over it. Leon outperformed Rhydian on the night."

X Factor producers at ITV have insisted Leon won "fair and square" and they revealed Leon won by a clear 10 per cent in the final vote.

Leon said: "I heard it was similar for me - when people phoned they couldn't get through.

"I just feel more pressured to prove myself - it's going to spur me on to do even better."

Source: Daily Record

[Red Moon]

Leonis Panta Claus

First Gig Since Telly Win Is Early Christmas Present For Fans X Factor Star's Homecoming Joy

FANS hurled their knickers at X Factor winner Leon Jackson last night as he performed in Scotland for the first time since his victory.

Teddy bears and underwear littered the stage as he sang When You Believe - which is expected to be the Christmas No1.

More than 600 fans had queued for hours - some spending the night in freezing temperatures - to get a ticket for his appearance in a Livingston shopping centre.

And Leon, from nearby Whitburn, was faced with a roaring crowd when he took to the stage.

Many fans held signs which read: "We love you, Leon."

He told the crowd:

"Thank you so much for this, I was aware this morning that people were queuing, so thanks very much for your support."

The gig and signing session was an astonishing return to the Almondvale Centre for Leon - who used to work in the mall's Gap store.

Shannon Kelly, 12, from Livingston, said she had voted for him around 20 times. She said: "I amecstatic.

"He gave me a kiss and signed my CD and it was really good."

Her mum, nurse Agnes Kelly, 36, was up in the early hours to queue for wristbands for the signing.

She said: "I had to come down at 5am to get the bands. But it was worth it to see her face when she met him."

HMV worker Jean Parrett, 41, from Livingston, used to sing karaoke with Leon at the Chicago Rock bar in Livingston.

She said: "I am really pleased for him. It was just a matter of time.

He said to me, 'Jean, can you believe it?'

"He gave me a wee kiss and he said 'Will I still get my discount?'"

Mother and daughter, Julie Baird, 42, and Chelsea, 10, had been standing in the queue for four hours to have their CDs signed . Chelsea said: "He was brilliant."

Staff nurse mum Julie added: "We are very proud of him."

Pals Natasha Jackson and Jodie Sage, both 16, both travelled from Moffat, Dumfriesshire, to see their idol.

Hairdressing student Jodie said: "He is so gorgeous, just beautiful in real life."

Natasha added: "I started crying. I can't remember what he even said to me, my mind's gone blank."

Fans Linzi Doran and Kirsty Tippett travelled from their homes in Glasgow on Tuesday night to be first in line.

Linzi, 19, said: "It was really cold, absolutely freezing and I didn't get any sleep. We got our wristbands and that makes it all worth it."

Most of the hundreds in the queue were desperate to get Leon's single, which went on sale yesterday.

Bookies are now calling the single a surefire Christmas No1.

Jennifer Bruce, Almondvale marketing manager, said: "It just goes to show the massive support for Leon. Everyone loves him."

Yesterday, Leon fans hit back over the storm of protest from Wales following Rhydian Roberts's defeat in the X Factor.

They claim, like, Rhydian's fans, that they couldn't get through on the phonelines to vote for their favourite.

X Factor producers have insisted Leon won "fair and square" by a clear 10 per cent in the final vote.

Leon said: "I heard it was similar for me - when people phoned they couldn't get
through.

"I just feel more pressured to prove myself - it's going to spur me on to do even better."

Meanwhile, Leon revealed that all he wants for Christmas is some smellies. And he revealed: "My mum's cursing me because she has not been able to do her Christmas cleaning or shopping.

"She said she didn't know what to get me but I said just get me a smell set."
He added: "This past couple of days have been crazy I can't wait to get home for Christmas.

"We'll have a normal Christmas dinner and open presents but I've not had a chance to think about buying them yet.

"It'll be something spur of the moment, probably vouchers or a smell set, you can't go wrong with something like that."

He added: "New Year will just be family orientated. Steak pie and peas after the bells.

"I just spend it with my mum, my gran goes to bed. We sit up and watch the telly and my mum makes me go out the door to first foot her and then go to bed.

"I've never gone to a party or anything."

Leon said he hoped to co-write songs in future - and would love the opportunity to perform with Scots-Italian singer Paolo Nutini.

He said: "I love his songs and to sing with him would be an absolute pleasure."

Source: Daily Record