Alexandra hails X Factor effect

Alexandra Burke's debut album, Overcome, was released on Monday

Alexandra Burke insists she won't mind if her former X Factor mentor Cheryl Cole takes over from her as number one in the singles chart this weekend.

Bad Boys featuring Flo Rida is the fastest selling single of the year so far with more than 185,000 copies shifted but should be overtaken by the Girls Aloud singer's debut single, Fight For This Love.

It sold more copies on its first day of release on Monday (134,000) than Alexandra Burke's song did on its first day last week.

The X Factor winner says she's happy for Cheryl Cole: "Her performance on The X Factor was absolutely outstanding and I think she deserves it.

"I wish her every success. I think she's coming from an amazing group and it's probably really hard and scary to go by yourself when you've been with your girls for so long.

"She just proves the point that if you've been in a group and you want to leave a group and you have time off, you can still be successful."

'Shocking'

Alexandra Burke and Cheryl Cole have both sung their new singles on this year's X Factor results show.

Burke says that has a massive bearing on the popularity of their music.

"I think shows like The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent really do open doors for people and gives everyone opportunities," she said.

Alexandra Burke's version of Hallelujah, released after she won The X Factor, became the best-selling single of 2008.

This year she beat Robbie Williams to take the top spot, a fact the 21-year-old's proud of.

"It's quite shocking I think," she said. "The reaction to Bad Boys has been out of this world. I feel very, very lucky and I'm just happy that everyone likes it and I hope they like the album too.

"The fact that I was up against Robbie Williams as well, it shocked me even more. It's great and it just goes to show that hard work can pay off too."

Alexandra Burke celebrated her 21st birthday on the Chris Moyles Show

There's been a row on The X Factor this year after Irish duo John and Edward made it through boot camp and the first two live shows.

Cheryl Cole said she was "gutted" after her singer, 21-year-old Rikki Loney, became the second act to be voted off the show.

But Alexandra Burke doesn't see a problem with the twins and thinks this year's winner will come from Simon Cowell's over-25 category.

She said: "I actually really like them. I find them hilarious. I met them a couple of times and I think they're lovely guys.

"Somebody must be keeping them in because they're voting for them. Just leave them alone. Let them have their fun."