Quotes from Rebecca Ferguson

I've got a running machine which I try and use, but it's just finding the time. Don't get me wrong, I love cake and ice cream; I'm the kind of girl that, if I want something, I'll have it.

I'm very proud of my roots, and I would never try not to be who I am.

I'm a better writer than I am a singer, and I express myself easily through writing.

You have to be really strong in the music industry, and I'm naturally very timid. That was really hard for me. You have to be tough. You have to make decisions and be a businesswoman.

My first-ever date on my first tour, the sound completely cut out. So I had to go on and just shout loudly to the audience.

If you haven't got love, you've got nothing.

You meet someone, you care for them, and you fall in love; it's what it is.

I've just grown as a person, accepting my flaws as well. Before I was very insecure and I used to just hide, and now I just accept that I'm an imperfect human.

I think being a mum gives you extra qualities. I'm more feisty, fiercely protective and less selfish. The main trait I want to instill in my kids is kindness. I think it's the most important thing. If you're kind, you'll go a long way.

Women's bodies are amazing; what our bodies can do is incredible, so it's sad that we get distracted - all this stuff about being skinny, be this, be that - they're all distractions.

We grew up in Woolton, Liverpool. We didn't have much, but it was irrelevant. We played out a lot with all the kids on the street.

I think jazz has given me freedom with my voice.

I took lessons since I was little; I used to pay for my own singing lessons and take myself. Just take the bus when I was a kid and go. But I'd been writing music for years, since the smallest age.

I absolutely love Nicole Scherzinger. She's worked really hard to get to where she is and really knows her stuff.

We have two older brothers and two younger sisters; Sam and I are in the middle, and I've always felt protective and closest to him.

I'm one of these people who tries to look for the good in people, but I've learnt that, actually, no, some people fundamentally just are not nice.

I think that's what I love about jazz is that you can do what you want, and you're allowed to mess up.

What I loved with Billie Holiday is she had a good way of parlaying the sorrow with a positive musical twist.

I'm playing with music and working on different types of music. But I've realised that I can't really stray from what is my marker.

My mum is a lovely woman, so strong but so kind and compassionate. She brought us up to be proud, loving and forgiving.

Work made me more streetwise because you can be so sheltered at home. I'd definitely encourage my kids Lillie and Karl, who are nine and seven, to get Saturday jobs in the future.

If you are not happy with the song, don't sing it. Simple as that - no-one forces you to do it.

I can't watch my first audition because it makes me too upset. I just think it is really sad. I look at myself and don't recognize myself. I do think fame and fortune changes people.

I can do an OK manicure, but I need to stick to singing.