X Factor judge Simon Cowell has put his foot down and banned Alexandra Burke from getting a dog.

The former winner of the ITV show has revealed that Cowell believes she is too busy to look after a puppy.

She told The News Of The World: “I really want a dog this year. Simon’s said I can’t have one as I’m too busy.”

However Alex will have a busy year ahad. In between releasing more records, she will be buying two new houses.

She said: “I’m going to buy my very first house soon. I’d love to live in a quiet area, but near enough to travel to London.

“Then the plan is to buy another home at the end of the year to move my family into. It’s for my mum, sister and brother – that will be one house full of chaos!”