X Factor’s Grace Davies praises Simon Cowell as she signs record deal

Grace Davies has praised Simon Cowell as she signs a record deal with his Syco company.

Grace finished second on The X Factor last year, behind winners Rak-Su.

But both acts have been signed by Simon’s label and Grace is already working on her album.

After penning the deal, Grace said this week: “I am over the moon about getting the deal. It’s huge to have it and to have Simon’s backing.

“He really gets me and what I’m about. I think it was in the semi final when he said to me he was worried about me being a bit of a one trick pony but I’d completely changed his mind.”

Speaking to the Chronicle Live, Grace went on: “I’d been working solidly for five years before X Factor writing songs and gigging but to give my originals such a platform was an incredible opportunity.

“When it got to live shows I expected to be told to do covers but they said to keep them coming.”

Meanwhile, in an interview with the Manchester Evening News, Grace said she would take her time with the record: “There’s so much hard work ahead, I’ve got an album to write! But it’s the most exciting, stressful thing that I’ve ever done and I’m so excited.

“I don’t know yet if I will recycle songs or if I’m going to completely write a new album I’m going to see how it all goes and take my time with it as I want it to be perfect.”

For the time being, there’s the X Factor live tour which kicks of next month.

In a first, the audience will get to vote for a winner each night, but Grace says she’ll ignore the results.

She explained: “Do you know what it doesn’t bother me, when I heard they were going to do that [vote] I was a bit like, no this is the time for us to go out and enjoy it and not be scared about the voting, so for me I’m going to ignore that and just go out and have so much fun.”

Elsewhere, in a message to fans on Twitter, Grace celebrated: “I never got a chance to THANK YOU all ⭐️ you have absolutely made my dreams come TRUE and today I was offered a record deal which is all down to you guys helping me get my name and my songs out there – which I am so thankful for ♥️ I am the happiest girl on the planet ? x”

The X Factor will return to ITV this year.