Leona has said she thinks The X Factor has become so intrusive and had it been that way a few years ago, she might not have ever entered.

Leona told Company magazine: “The show is much more intrusive now – you see pictures of people’s families a lot more than when I was on – they seem to dig a bit deeper.”

She continued: “I don’t know if that would have affected my decision to go on, because I am such a private person.”

After the jump: Leona talks about Simon Cowell and his character, as well marrying boyfriend Lou…

Since winning The X Factor in 2006, Leona reckons she has got to know the real Simon Cowell.

She said: “He’s very powerful and confident on the outside, but I think he’s quite shy really – he gives off a persona and that’s his thing, but it’s almost like a character. That’s why we get along… and we both love animals.”

Leona is dating Hackney electrician Lou Al-Chamaa – but don’t expect to hear wedding bells any time soon.

She confessed: “I don’t see us getting married for a long time yet – you really need to be certain with someone before you get married and, besides, my parents only married about four or five years ago so I just don’t believe you have to get married to be happy together.”

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