Huge Brit pop star, 40, who won The X Factor to release first album in 11 years
But after an extended break from the studio, I'm chuffed to reveal that the British star is working on new music again and will release her first album in 11 years in 2026 — exactly two decades after triumphing on the ITV show.
This time she is doing it ALL herself — divulging that she is writing and producing as well as playing the instruments.
No wonder it's taken so long.
Speaking at an intimate Q&A at 180 House in London, Leona said: 'I've been in the studio since last year now.
'I'm pretty deep in the process and I'm producing everything, writing everything, so it's very new territory for me.
'But there definitely will be something next year.
'It means that it's very unfiltered. It's very raw.
"With the birth of my daughter, I did not know the depth of love until she was born.
"And I'm writing a lot about that.
'When I first started out, I was quite overwhelmed.
"And there were definitely times in the studio where I was questioning, 'Am I crazy? Why am I doing this?'
I was an X Factor winner - now I've got a normal job running a coffee shop with an 'important mission'
'I taught myself to play the bass. I'm playing bass on stuff.
"I taught myself to play the drums. I'm playing drums on stuff.
"And it's so fulfilling as well.
'Just to hear a song that is literally all you, it feels really good. It feels so genuine and real.'
The news comes ahead of her debut Las Vegas residency at the exclusive venue Voltaire, which will run from November to early January.
She said of the Christmas-themed spectacle, called A Starry Night: 'I think we've created a really special show for people, so yeah, I'm excited to get up there on stage.'
And it comes hot on the heels of the OBE she received for services to music earlier this month.
On collecting the gong, she said: 'I don't really get nervous, so my dad was like, 'What's wrong with you?'
"And I went completely silent. But it was just such a big deal
'My dad, every time he sees me now, has started to curtsy, which is really weird.'
I'd absolutely be demanding the royal treatment after that.
Bizbit
THE brilliant Katherine Ryan is mixing sex and comedy for brand new podcast Write Me Dirty.
Each week, the comic will be joined by two guests who have to write the most steamy – and side-splitting – erotic fiction based on Kath's ridiculous prompts, such as, 'Apocalypse, must include a zombie and a can of beans'.
The first episode, featuring Radio 1 DJs Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo, is out today.
Kath joked: 'When they asked me if I wanted to host a show about sex, erotica and fiction I didn't have to think twice – I said absolutely not.
"But when I realised I'd have a front row seat as comedians squirmed through the awkwardness of reading aloud the erotic fiction they'd written about each other for a prize, I reconsidered.'
LIAM AND PAM ARE REAL DEAL
PAMELA ANDERSON and Liam Neeson really have struck up a romance, according to US sources.
Showbiz magazine People has claimed that The Naked Gun co-stars, are in the early stages of a relationship and are both 'smitten'.
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They have raised some eyebrows while promoting the film, with Pammy giving him a kiss at the London premiere last week.
Speaking about the Baywatch star, Liam said: 'With Pamela, first off, I'm madly in love with her.
'She's terrific to work with. I can't compliment her enough. No huge ego.
"She just comes in to do the work.
"She's funny and so easy to work with.'
Meanwhile, Pammie says they bonded over a passion for 'literature and a good laugh,' adding: 'We definitely have a connection that is very sincere, very loving.
"He's a good guy.'
Bizbit
IF you're visiting Edinburgh over the next month, my pal Lily Edwards is taking on her wackiest role yet.
The Fringe veteran is at the heart of a one-woman show, Of Fire And Flame, written by Emma Zetterberg.
The show, described as a 'fantasy-romance parody,' doubles as a poignant reflection on the realities of living with endometriosis.
You can catch it from August 1-24 (not 12) at 12.20pm at the Gilded Balloon Patter House.
KIDS KEEP UP WITH JONESES
THEY may have multi-millionaire parents, but that doesn't mean the kids of Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas haven't had the odd trip to Butlin's in their time.
The couple raised their kids Dylan and Carys between New York and Bermuda, but the actress has said that she insisted they spend a fortnight in her native Wales every year, so they'd get a taste of normal life.
She told the Radio Times: 'I'm adamant that they go back to Wales every year, to be with their grandparents for two weeks.
'Nana and Grampy's rules!
'They've been to Butlin's, Legoland, seen the sights in London, up to Scotland, over to Ireland.
"They've even been to the Isle of Man, I think.
'As a parent, you guide them, you give them the best, broadest options, you don't smother them – you put them into situations where you hope they see the reality of the world.'
FEARNE'S OFF TO FLYER WITH ELLIOT
THERE might be a couple of late bombshells jetting into the Love Island villa in Mallorca – but I'm not sure their heads will be turned.
A Bizarre reader spotted Fearne Cotton and her new man, TV director Elliot Hegarty, snogging at Palma Airport.
5
The pair, who I revealed had started dating in February, jetted in from Heathrow for a romantic getaway this week.
Our reader explained: 'Fearne and Elliot were like teenagers in love.
They were kissing and cuddling while waiting for their bags.
'It was lovely to see her so happy. Elliot totally doted on her.
"She's found a lovely man.'
Bizbit
IF you're a fan of top stars including Sir Tom Jones, Basement Jaxx and Sugababes, you still have a chance to see them this weekend.
They all headline at Camp Bestival at Lulworth Castle in Dorset.
The Zutons, DJ Annie Mac, The Lightning Seeds, Goldie and Remember Monday are also on the line-up.
All the weekend tickets for the family festival, which is hosting a massive pyjama party on Saturday, are sold out.
But day tickets for the event are still available at dorset.campbestival.net.
DON'T SLIDE AWAY, DJ JO TELLS OASIS
JO WHILEY knows Oasis better than most, having interviewed Noel and Liam Gallagher on countless occasions over the years.
And she is hopeful that we will get some new music from the brothers.
5
She reckons it would be 'insane' for the duo not to get back inside the recording studio given the massive success of their comeback tour.
Speaking on her Dig It podcast, the Radio 2 DJ, said: 'You've had bands like Blur coming back and doing The Ballad Of Darren two years ago now, which has just got some of their best-ever songs on.
'There are so many artists . . . Suede have got a new album out and how fantastic is the new Pulp album?
'So with hope in my heart, I would really love Oasis to have another album, a new album, because of all the songs that they wrote way back in the day.
She explained: 'They've continued to write new songs.
'Noel's High Flying Birds – there was some really brilliant music that he did.
Jo added: 'So how could you stop being that songwriter and not want to release new music as Oasis with your brother?
'That would seem insane to me. So hopefully it will happen.'
I'll keep my fingers crossed, too.
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