Leon Jackson's Biography

Leon Jackson was an 18-year-old former shop assistant at Gap, when he won The X Factor in 2007.

Leon Jackson, who is from Whitburn in West Lothian, was born on December 30, 1988.

In the final of The X Factor, Leon Jackson beat Rhydian Roberts by just 1% of the vote.

Leon Jackson went to Whitburn Academy and had been accepted into art college, but had taken a job in Gap in his year between school and college.

If he had not won The X Factor, Leon wanted study architectural technology.

Leon Jackson had only started singing in public less than twelve months before his success in The X Factor.

His mother and father separated when he was two and he never had anything to do with his father or his father's family.

Instead, he was brought up by his mother Wendy, a part-time receptionist.

His favourite music is jazz and his influences are Michael Bublé and Jamie Cullum.

Leon Jackson is a black belt in karate.

He told the Daily Mail:

"Singing is the only thing that makes me happy in this world."

Leon Jackson upon winning The X Factor winner was due to record a version of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston's song When You Believe.

Leon Jackson had the UK's Christmas number one single with When You Believe, whilst The X Factor's 2006 winner, Leona Lewis topped the Christmas album chart.

He then lay low until October 2008, when he released the single Don't Call This Love and his debut album, Right Now.

On 20 March 2009, the BBC reported that Leon Jackson had been dropped by his record label after one album.

On 31 March 2009, The Sun reported that Leon Jackson had made his catwalk debut at the Dressed To Kilt fashion show.