[Red Moon]

I can't compete wih Leona and Alexandra, admits Leon Jackson

LEON JACKSON has admitted he's a bit scared of his female pop rivals such as X Factor winners Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke.

He won the TV talent show in 2007 but admitted he is daunted by the big voices of 2008 winner Alex, who is at No.1 with Hallelujah, and Leona Lewis, from 2006.

He said: "Women vocalists have an amazing voice range. They can reach really high notes and often they have a strong diva-like image.

"Both Leona and Alex have really big voices. There's no doubting they can nail songs that us guys can't. I think that gives them a certain edge.

"Females always generate attention from the way they look, too. They are always changing their hair and some of their outfits can be really daring - it can be really hard to compete."

The 20-year-old singer also admitted that he probably wouldn't have stood a chance against Alex and boy band JLS if he'd been competing in the ITV show in 2008.

He said: "I don't know if I would have won against acts like Alex and JLS. All I know was that I was meant to enter the show and win it the year I did.

"Who knows what would have happened if any of the previous contestants has appeared on this year's show. Shayne Ward entered the year he was meant to, as did Leona - so who knows."

Leon, from Whitburn, West Lothian, released his debut album Right Now in October and reckons that the year's gap between X Factor shows gives the winners enough time to establish themselves in the music industry before a new champ is announced. He said: "By the time there is a new winner on X Factor, the previous year's winner has had the chance to make their own name. I had my record out before Alex won the show, Leona had her Spirit album out when I won the show.

"We all have a whole year to develop as an artist before a new winner is announced, which is plenty of time."

Leon also explained that he had improved as a musician since winning the show and is hoping to showcase his new talents on his forthcoming tour.

The singer exclusively revealed to The Razz last year that he was learning to play the guitar and now feels ready to play in front of his audience on his 20-date UK tour in May and June.

He said: "I'm looking forward to getting up on the stage and playing live. That's the best thing about this job.

"I 'm a completely different performer from the one I was on the X factor tour last year - I've grown as a musician.

"The venues that I'm playing are quite intimate, which suits me as a performer. I also want to showcase my acoustic guitar skills.

"The X Factor tour was really just a 20-minute slot for every performer. Now I've got my own material to sing, so I'm hoping it will be more more of a gig.

"I want the shows to be one big party - it would be great if the audience really felt like they were part of my show. I want my fans to come along and forget about their worries."

'They can reach really high notes and have a diva image'

Source:Daily Record