THE woman who wowed Simon Cowell with her sex appeal cannot live down her appearance on ITV's X Factor.

Beulah Edwards' new-found fame has become a part of her life.

The 59-year-old single mum with five grandchildren of Walnut Road, Leyton, is recognised by customer after customer at Sainsbury's in Loughton where she is a cashier.

Her colleagues have spotted her in Reveal and OK magazine, as have her friends from all over the country.

Beulah performed before two panels of directors and producers at the X Factor auditions in Wembley, before she was selected to sing for the stone-faced celebrity judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne.

She said: "I wasn't worried at all. It was when I went in and saw those serious faces that I got nervous. I wanted to go up to Simon and shake his hand, but I think he was in kind of a dark mood that day.

"They asked where I sang and I said in the bath and the shower. I sing all the time. I've always wanted to be a singer. I wish I had the confidence I have now when I was 29."

Beulah grew up in rural Jamaica and moved to London in 1961 at age 15.

She said: "I used to stand at the top of the mountain and sing my heart out. I said one day I'm going to England and I'm going to be famous."

Although her rendition of Stand By Me failed to take her to the next round, the judges acknowledged her definite stage presence and likened her to Tina Turner and Shirley Bassey.

Simon called her a minx, and when she protested, he insisted: "Yes you are".

Beulah asked for a second chance, and although she was not allowed to sing again, Simon gave her Louis' phone number.

She famously called the number soon after leaving the audition to check if it was really him. When they spoke again she expressed her anger about Simon's minx comment, and Louis passed the phone to him to explain: "I just thought you were very sexy."

Beulah maintains Louis politely returned her few calls and advised her to find an agent, to work outside the X Factor, and to go on GMTV when she was invited for an interview.

She appeared on GMTV, speaking to Louis on television once again, and she is looking for an agent.

She said: "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want fame and fortune, and now I'm getting the fame, but not the fortune."