X Factor's Kelly Rowland: Simon Cowell calls me Lippy for standing up to him

X Factor judge Kelly Rowland today revealed that Simon Cowell calls her "Lippy" - because she is one of the few people who is not scared of him.

The former Destiny's Child singer said TV mogul Cowell had given her a silver photo frame with the message "thanks for everything, Lippy". "I think it's because I have something of a smart mouth and I'm not afraid of him," she said.

She has perfected an impression of Cowell's voice, saying: "It's actually a very clever way of talking because you don't have to say much and it makes other people listen to you."

Rowland, 30, said she agreed immediately when offered the X Factor job - after Dannii Minogue allegedly turned it down.

"I'd heard rumours [Cowell] wanted me," she said. "But really the call came out of the blue. I figured I'd been blessed with 15 years in the business and it was time to start letting other people have the benefit of my experience. I said yes straight away."

The singer also said in an interview with the Evening Standard's ES magazine that she is a neighbour of the Queen.

"I've actually been living down the street from her," she said. "When I moved into the 'hood I was hoping I would get to see her walking the dawgs. But I guess she's got people to do that for her. She the Queen so she got it like dat, right."

The singer has been enjoying Sunday brunches at Julie's in Holland Park and is partial to the sticky toffee pudding at the Langham Hotel. She is equally enthusiastic about the capital's nightlife, frequenting restaurants such as Nobu and Hakkasan, the bar at the W Hotel and nightclub the Box.

The full interview can be read in tomorrow's ESMagazine