A friend has claimed that X Factor hopeful Stacey Solomon, has always had confidence issues.

“I’ve seen Stacey grow up and she wasn’t exactly a beauty as a child,” her friend told Now magazine.

“Stacey was very shy, too. She had a hard time at school.

“I remember her as a little girl with sticky-out ears and crooked teeth. No-one would believe it now, though. She’s blossomed into a swan and is such a lovely person, too.

“She’s always lacked confidence – maybe because of her appearance. She’s very humble. Perhaps that’s why she can’t believe she’s in the finals.”