Leon Jackson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Leon Jackson
Jackson attending the premiere of The Golden Compass in London, November 2007
Background information
Birth name	Leon Jackson
Born	(1988-12-30) 30 December 1988 (age 36)
Origin	Whitburn, West Lothian, Scotland
Genres	Pop, jazz, acoustic alternative music
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Sony BMG, Syco, RCA Records
Associated acts	Michael Bublé, Kylie Minogue, Vince Kidd

Leon Jackson (born 30 December 1988) is a singer from Scotland. He became famous after winning the fourth season of the British TV talent show The X Factor in 2007. After his big win, Leon starred in his own online show called Leon's Life, which ran from 2007 to 2008.

His first album, Right Now, came out in 2008. It was one of the best-selling albums in the UK that year. The album featured popular songs like "Don't Call This Love", "Creative", and "Stargazing".

Leon's first single, "When You Believe", was a cover of a song originally sung by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. This song sold over 400,000 copies and was the third best-selling song of 2007 in the UK. It was also the best-selling single from a British male artist that year.

By 2016, Leon Jackson had achieved one UK number one single, two songs in the UK top ten, and one album in the UK top five. His winning single, "When You Believe", is still one of the best-selling X Factor winner's songs ever. His first album is also one of the top-selling debut albums from an X Factor winner.

Leon's Early Life and Career

Growing Up in Scotland (1988–2007)

Leon Jackson was born in Whitburn, West Lothian, Scotland. Before he became a singer, he worked in a clothing store called Gap. He is a big fan of the football team Rangers.

Leon loved contemporary jazz music, and his biggest hero was the singer Michael Bublé. He has shared that karate and singing were the two things that made him happiest when he was younger. He even earned a black belt in karate when he was just 10 years old. Before joining The X Factor, Leon planned to study architectural technology at Edinburgh Napier University.

Leon started singing for the public in January 2007. He really wanted a career in music, so he decided to try out for The X Factor. After doing well in the competition, he put his university plans on hold.

Winning The X Factor (2007–2008)

Jackson in 2007 during his time on The X Factor

In 2007, Leon Jackson auditioned for the fourth season of The X Factor in Glasgow. During the show, he was guided by judge Dannii Minogue. He made it through all the rounds and reached the final on December 15, 2007. In the final, he sang a duet with pop star Kylie Minogue called "Better the Devil You Know", along with three other songs.

After the public voted, Leon was announced as the winner! This meant he won a £1 million recording contract with Simon Cowell's music company, Syco. Many people were surprised by Leon's win because he wasn't expected to win. One of the judges, Louis Walsh, later said that Leon won by about 10% of the votes. Over 12 million people watched Leon win the final. Leon himself said winning felt "not real".

In December 2007, Leon was invited to sing with his idol, Michael Bublé, at Wembley Arena. They sang Bublé's song "Home". Michael Bublé was very impressed with Leon's singing. Leon later said this was the best moment of his life. Leon was the first X Factor contestant to perform at Wembley while still in the competition.

The show had some discussions even before it started. People wondered if 14 and 15-year-olds should be allowed to enter. There were also changes to the judges and hosts. Leon's prize as the winner was a £1 million recording contract. His first single was "When You Believe", which became the Christmas Number One song in the UK Singles Chart in 2007.

On February 11, 2008, Leon began the "X Factor Live" tour. He performed with other finalists from the 2007 show, including Rhydian Roberts and Same Difference. The tour traveled around the UK and ended on March 21 at London's Wembley Arena.

Releasing Right Now (2008–2009)

Jackson performing live during the Right Now UK Tour (2009)

Leon's first single, "When You Believe", became available to download on December 16, 2007, and as a CD on December 19, 2007. It was the fastest-selling single of 2007. At one point, it was selling 40 copies every minute at Woolworths stores. "When You Believe" reached number one in the UK on December 23, 2007, making Leon the first Scottish artist to have a Christmas number one song.

On October 11, 2008, Leon returned to The X Factor as a guest to perform "Don't Call This Love". This was the first single from his upcoming album, Right Now. The song was released the next day and reached number 3 on the UK singles chart.

His album Right Now was released on October 20, 2008. It debuted at number 4 on the UK Top 40 Albums chart. The second single from the album, "Creative", was released later in 2008. The third and final single, "Stargazing", was sent to radio stations in January 2009. To help promote his album, Leon performed on various UK TV shows like GMTV and This Morning.

Jackson performing during his 2009 Right Now tour

In July 2008, Michael Bublé invited Leon to join him on stage again in Glasgow to sing "Lost". In December 2008, Leon performed at the Hogmanay Event in Edinburgh.

The album Right Now sold 130,000 copies. After this, Leon was no longer with the Sony BMG record label. He then started working with new writers who had worked with other famous singers. Leon said he was getting ready for a concert tour in the UK in May and June 2009. Some of his tour dates were cancelled, which made Leon "gutted", but he said it wasn't his fault.

New Music and Tours (2010–2011)

Jackson confirmed that he was "not in contact" with Dannii Minogue (pictured) or Simon Cowell by 2010

In 2009, Leon Jackson shared that he was working on a new album. He said it would have a more acoustic sound, different from the jazz and soul style of his first album. Even though he didn't have a record deal, he hoped to release the album on his own.

Leon traveled to Los Angeles in May 2010 to write songs for his new sound. He worked with artists like Ernie Halter to create songs led by piano and guitar. He also wrote some songs himself. While in Los Angeles, he performed at 'The Gypsy Lounge' with American artists.

In May 2010, Leon announced a summer tour where he would perform his new acoustic songs. He said he would never perform "When You Believe" again. He also shared that he was no longer in touch with his former mentor Dannii Minogue or Simon Cowell after being dropped by his record label. Leon said he felt "crushed" when he found out through the newspaper that Cowell had dropped him.

His tour included shows in London, ABC Glasgow, and O2 Academy Birmingham. He performed new songs he had written with American songwriters. On February 16, 2011, Leon attended the 2011 BRIT Awards. He has been writing new music and taught himself to play the guitar and piano, which he uses in his new songs. Some of these new songs include 'Never Left The Ground' and 'Ode to Isabel'.

Songwriting and Future Plans (2012–Present)

Leon Jackson helped write "Sick Love", the first single for The Voice UK contestant Vince Kidd.

Since 2016, Leon has been living in Los Angeles, California, in the United States. He is writing and recording new music for a second album. In 2016, Leon explained to his fans why he had been away from the music industry. He said he needed time to "evaluate everything that happened" and to "fall in love with music again".

Leon has also spent time helping good causes, like raising money for the Glasgow Children's Hospital. In January 2024, Leon posted on his official Instagram account that new music would be released in 2024.

Other Activities

Leon supports the Children's Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS). This Scottish charity provides hospice services for children and young people with serious health conditions. Leon believes that music is about life and bringing joy to people.

After winning The X Factor in 2007, Leon had his own web series called Leon's Life. It was shown only on the social media website Bebo.

Awards and Appearances

In April 2008, Leon Jackson received the Sunday Mail Young Scot Award. He won this award for being a good role model for young people. In 2011, Leon hosted the Sunday Mail 2011 Young Scot Awards in Glasgow.

In May 2011, he was nominated for a Johnnie Walker Blue Label "Great" Award.

Concert Tours

Headlining Tours

• The X Factor Tour (2008)
• Right Now: UK & Ireland Tour (2009)
• Live & Acoustic Summer Tour (2010)

Supporting Tours

• Sandi Thom – 2009 Homecoming Scotland Tour (Support act in Glasgow)

Music Albums

Studio albums

• Right Now (2008)

Filmography

• Leon's Life (2007–2008): Himself

See also

In Spanish: Leon Jackson para niños

• List of artists who reached number one in Ireland
• List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart