Rebecca Ferguson still has x-factor

She beat One Direction in the TV talent show, and is now taking on the songs of Billie Holiday, writes Ed Power

THE list of credible X Factor graduates is short, but near the top is Rebecca Ferguson. The Merseyside singer placed second in the competition in 2010, behind Matt ‘where is he now?’ Cardle, but ahead of One Direction, the world’s biggest boyband.

Ferguson has worked hard at being a respected artist. It hasn’t been easy. There was the distraction of her relationship with 1D’s Zayn Malik (five years her junior). They split in 2011.