Leona Lewis to pen autobiography

Pop singer Leona Lewis has signed a book deal to tell the story of her journey from pizza waitress to X Factor winner and international star.

Lewis, 23, said the two years since winning the TV talent show had been "an unbelievable experience".

"To have it documented in pictures and to be able to tell people in my own words how it feels means a lot to me."

The book will hit the shelves in October, shortly before the scheduled release of Lewis's second album.

"I know the book will be full of special moments and I'm already having a brilliant time putting it together," Lewis added.

US success

The book, which will include more than 100 behind-the-scenes photographs taken by photographer Dean Freeman, who has previously worked with David Beckham.

Since winning The X Factor in 2006, Lewis has sold more than five million copies of her album, Spirit, while her single Bleeding Love was iTunes' biggest seller of 2008.

She has had number one singles and albums in more than 20 countries, and became the first British woman to debut at number one in the US album chart.

Lewis was also chosen to represent Great Britain at the closing ceremony of the Olympics in Beijing, where she sang alongside Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page.

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