Emeli Sande has revealed that she was often told to audition for The X Factor but is now glad she chose not to.

The 'Daddy's Girl' star, who releases her debut album in February, has become a huge hit on her own terms and has built a career through her main passion in life, songwriting.

Speaking to the Daily Star about her feelings for TV talent shows and why she did not feel she was a match for them, Sande said: "People used to tell me to do it because they saw getting signed as a long battle, but it was never about that."

“Having a good voice was not enough, it was about being a writer. And I didn’t think I’d have got the opportunity to sing my own songs if I’d done that. Also it always seemed sad seeing three people on a panel crushing a young singer’s dreams, so I didn’t want to put myself through that.

Adding: “Maybe if Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone were on the panel... But even then I don’t know if I’d like it. Being an artist is about feeling free to do what you want.”

Ironically, Emeli is Simon Cowell's favourite songwriter and she has penned tracks for Leona Lewis and Cher Lloyd.