• Leona has been singing since she could talk, but really started to hone her talent when she enrolled at Sylvia Young and then the Brits Academy.

• At the age of 13, Leona entered the Lady D under-18 talent show at the Hackney Empire, and won.

• Leona has taken part in many talent competitions, shows and acoustic gigs with her major performances including The Hackney Empire.

• Although Leona’s big passion is singing she is also a keen dancer and actor.

• Leona is currently in a relationship with Lou (21). They’ve been together four years, but have lived on the same street since they were both ten.

• Leona has another passion, which is her pet rotweiller ‘Rome’.

• Leona was crowned the first female victor of the X-Factor on Saturday, the 16th of December, 2006.