Leona Lewis has claimed that she could have ended up like Amy Winehouse had she not been streetwise whilst growing up in Hackney.

The 2006 X-Factor winner, who this week denied reports that she is dating One Direction’s Liam Payne, told The Sun’s Fabulous magazine that she could quite easily have followed the same path as the tragic soul singer:

"It would have been very easy for me because of where I come from. It would probably have been very easy for me to have been like Amy, but I just wouldn't do that."

The 27-year-old, who releases new single, 'Trouble,' tomorrow, went on to admit that she’s a lot tougher than her reputation would suggest:

"I'm a Hackney girl. I can handle myself. If I was in a club and someone pulled a gun, I would stay calm because it's not out of my world. 

"I grew up having to be streetwise, having to know how to handle myself."