Ferguson: 'X Factor' harder than I thought

Rebecca Ferguson has found appearing on 'The X Factor' much "tougher" than she anticipated.

The 24-year-old hopeful - who has received consistently positive comments from the show's judging panel - admitted despite having reached the eighth week of the live show stage of the competition, she is still lacking in confidence.

She exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "It's been quite hard. The show is much tougher than I initially thought but also so much fun. For me it's been a lot about gaining more confidence."

While Rebecca insists her confidence is growing each week, her primary motivation in appearing on the ITV1 show is to provide a better life for her children Lillie May, five, and four-year-old Karl - who she raises as a single parent - who are "loving" seeing their mum on TV.

She added: "I'd like to have a better life for my kids and me. I've already gained so much from the show for me personally. I've become much more confident and happy within myself.

"My kids are so excited about it all, especially my little daughter - she loves it."