Lionel Richie snubbed by Alexandra

Lionel Richie has been snubbed by 'X Factor' winner Alexandra Burke.

The 20-year-old singer made such an impression on the 59-year-old star he invited her to join him on his forthcoming US tour.

However, Alexandra doesn't want to attempt to make it in America until she has good original material.

A source said: "Lionel made it clear he wanted Alexandra to join his tour and is very disappointed.

"Touring with Lionel would have been a massive opportunity, but it's a lot of work and stressful preparation for that sort of thing. Plus at the moment Alex doesn't have any real songs of her own."

It is believed Alexandra's mentor Simon Cowell - who was a judge on the UK TV talent show that discovered her - was the driving force behind the fledgling star's decision.

The source said: "Simon Cowell and all at her label Syco are determined to do what they did with Leona Lewis and shelter her away. They want Alexandra to be able to concentrate on making a brilliant album."

Source

Lionel Richie: 'I Don't Know If Nicole Is Pregnant/Engaged'

Soul man Lionel Richie is refusing to confirm or deny ongoing reports his daughter Nicole Richie is pregnant and engaged - because he insists he'd be among the last to know.

The Hello singer admits he's as keen to know the truth about reports the socialite Simple Life star is expecting Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden's child and has accepted the rocker's marriage proposal.

But Richie insists his daughter has yet to tell him if the stories are true.

He tells U.S. TV news show Access Hollywood, "Nicole is probably one of those wonderful people that will not tell her father until I keep going, 'Come on Nic. I'm your father. What's going on?' "(She'll say) 'Nothing dad, nothing.' So right now, she's in nothing mode. I don't know. She'll let me know about it at the very last minute.

"It's the natural instinct to call. When she was 18... I'd call her right away. But now she's 25, I kind of wait. I've learned the lesson now. So at this point, I feel that if she doesn't call me, it's not really happening.

"At this point, she's kind of got me on the silent thing, which is OK with me. No news is good news."

Richie has always dreamed of singing at his daughter's wedding, but jokes, "I'm just hoping that it doesn't cost me a fortune."