Emotional ties: The X Factor star-turned-fitness guru Fleur East

The X Factor star-turned-fitness guru Fleur East

Left: I loved my dad’s mum, Nana Lily, so much and my middle name, Lilli Beth, is after her. We used to stay with her every summer. When she died, she left some jewellery to my sister Keshia and me. I keep her earrings in my jewellery box in memory of her. Right: I made this bowl in a pottery café as a thank you for my partner Marcel. We’ve been together for more than five years. He is my number one fan. He pushed me to do The X Factor auditions and came to every show.

I wore this when I performed my debut single ‘Sax’ on The X Factor in 2015. I came back to the show as an artist and was more scared than I was as a contestant. When I saw the dance routine in rehearsals, I was so happy I cried.

This teddy plays a good luck message from The Xtra Factor team when you squeeze its belly. I love bears and have about 15 of them. Marcel gets jealous of them, so most are at my mum’s. But this one sits on my bed.

My dad Malcolm took this photo of my mum Irene and me in 1988, at the park in Walthamstow, East London, where I grew up. It’s a rare picture of us alone together – she was a childminder so there were always kids at our house.

Left: My mum bought me this Bible to read before I go to bed. Whenever I travel, I take it with me and turn to Psalm 91, my favourite. It’s all about being safe and protected. Right: Working out is important for my creativity and mental health – it gives me a boost when I feel sluggish. I use these resistance bands and handles for workouts at home.

Left: My parents played records every day when I was growing up. I recently bought a vintage record player and my dad gave me all their old vinyl. I’m mostly listening to Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall – it was always playing when I was a child. Right: I was given this dedication candle in 2015 when I became godmother to Ace [three], who is the son of two of my closest friends, JB from the band JLS and his wife Chloe. He is my first godchild and I spoil him rotten – he calls me Auntie Fleur.

My first designer purchase was these Louis Vuitton winter boots. I bought them in 2011 with my first payment for singing as a live vocalist for DJ Fresh. I left my waitressing job in a Mayfair club to pursue my dream of being a singer.