'X Factor' runner-up accuses management of overworking her

Rebecca Ferguson claims she was pushed to be the "perfect" pop star.

The 'I Hope' singer, who was runner-up on 'The X Factor' in 2010, sacked her management team last year after accusing them of overworking her until she collapsed.

The Liverpool songstress launched a scathing Twitter attack on her handlers, Modest Management, which also represents One Direction and Leona Lewis.

She exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "It's common in the music industry to have a change in management and team. I feel like it's part of the business.

"I am a lot more assertive and I care less about what people think. I think I was so pressed about trying to be perfect that I got lost in that really and I couldn't relax. I think even in society people get so caught up in how they look. I think I let that go and I've learnt to not care."

The brunette beauty, who once dated One Direction hunk Zayn Malik, said she often wears less make-up these days and doesn't obsess about her appearance.

She added: "Sometimes I won't put a lot of make up on, I won't put foundation on, I'll just pop a bit of blusher on. I'm not obsessed with trying to look like a Victoria's Secret model - it's real life."