Ruth LorenzoRuth Lorenzo has said appearing on the X Factor was a huge confidence boost even though she was voted off in Week 8.

She told Closer magazine that Simon Cowell’s praise - for both her singing and her looks - meant a lot to her: “I was so flattered that he thought I was beautiful.

“I’ve always thought I was fat and been very self-conscious about my appearance. I’m from Spain where everyone is beautiful, so I never thought I was attractive.

“For Simon to say those things, it’s given me a real boost. I feel a lot better about myself now.”

Taking part in the show, with its enforced hectic schedule, also caused her to drop down a clothes size from a size 14 to 12: “I call it the X Factor diet, all I did was rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. My clothes are baggy on me now, it’s great!”

Ruth was voted out on 29th November, the Britney Spears show, after singing American classics ‘I Love Rock ‘n Roll’ and Bon Jovi’s ‘Always’ - but she has no doubts who she is voting for in the final on Saturday - new BFF Alexandra Burke: “She’s like my little sister now, I know that she’s a best friend for life.

“I’m rooting for her to win. She has to win. She’s the best singer I’ve ever heard, much better than Mariah Carey.”