December 28, 2006
TheSUN
GENEROUS Simon Cowell blew £25,000 on Christmas gifts for X Factor winner Leona Lewis and runner-up Ray Quinn.
The millionaire music mogul bought posh jewellery for the two rising stars he signed after their stunning performances on the talent show.
Simon, 47, who is sunning himself in Barbados with partner Terri Seymour, got winner Leona a diamond necklace and matching earrings for £15,000.
And he splashed out £9,000 on a diamond- encrusted Jacob & Co watch — popular with footie stars like David Beckham and Ashley Cole — for runner-up Ray, 18.
A source said: “Simon wanted to reward them for their hard work.
“He thinks they both have a bright future in the music business and wanted to give them their first taste of the luxuries their new careers will bring them.”
Simon has also paid for Leona, 21, her boyfriend Lou Al-Chamaa and her close family to spend New Year in Barbados at the plush Sandy Lane resort.
The former Pizza Hut waitress beat 100,000 hopefuls to win a £1million recording contract on the ITV1 show. Her single A Moment Like This is currently No 1.
Ray is being groomed to be a Rat Pack-style crooner in Las Vegas.
