Alexandra Burke still gets shocked when Simon Cowell calls her.

The ‘Bad Boys’ singer - who won last year’s ‘X Factor’ - admits she gets nervous every time she speaks to the music mogul even though she is signed to his record label.

She said: “Simon is the nicest man on Earth! He rings me, and I’m like, ‘You’re Simon Cowell - why are you ringing my phone?’ I still get nervous speaking to him.”

Alexandra - who is still good friends with her ‘X Factor’ mentor Cheryl Cole - also revealed she is keen to start a family before she turns 30.

The 21-year-old star told Britain’s Marie Claire magazine: “I want kids before I’m 30. Cheryl advised me to be wary who I’m dating, or if I’m going to be in a relationship.

“I go for the older man because I think they are more mature and because I don’t have the brain of a 21-year-old. I just want someone who makes me happy. I do love ‘love’, that’s why I’ve had it tattooed on my neck - it’s written with the ‘o’ as the peace sign. My phrase is ‘Peace and Love.’ “