X Factor contestant Fleur East has spilled the beans on what she thinks of this year’s judging panel. During an interview with Heat magazine, the singer revealed that she has a lot of respect for Cheryl Fernandez-Versini despite the fact that she is believed to have mimed during her performance of I Don’t Care on a recent results show. Cheryl received a lot of criticism over her performance on X Factor. “I have so much respect for her because I think she’s the only UK female artist who sings and dances and entertains and performs. It’s fair she mimed.” However Fleur did add that she prefers to sing live: “I would push myself to sing, because I’d want to look back and think I nailed it. I’m like that, I never cut corners. I want to push myself to the fullest. “I don’t know what my schedule will be like or what my voice will be like and how durable it will be. But I’m the kind of person that would want to sing live.” Fleur also spoke about Mel B during the interview. The 27-year-old also talked about Mel B who is known for being outspoken and hasn't held back when it comes to her feedback for this year's contestants. “I wouldn’t say I’m scared of Mel, but I’m just anticipating some form of a negative comment because it has always come from her. Mel is harsh but her criticism is fair.” UPDATE (2.20pm): Fleur East has taken to Facebook this afternoon to urge her fans not to believe everything they read following reports that she was taking a subtle swipe at Cheryl Fernandez-Versini with her comments. She wrote: “God knows I would never say anything bad about someone that I respect and did nothing but show me love. Don’t always believe what you read the devil is a liar.”