Cheryl Cole: "I'm No Mariah Carey"

Cheryl Cole has addressed critics who have questioned her vocal ability, stating she knows she is "no Mariah Carey."

The Girls Aloud star, who announced plans for her first solo arena tour yesterday (12th June), has been slammed in the past for miming - most recently for her performance of new single Call My Name on The Voice semi-final last month.

Discussing her singing credentials with The Sun, Chezza said: "I am very aware of my ability, I know I’m no Mariah Carey but I think the emotion in the song is what matters.

“It’s making people feel what you’re singing about. My new album is designed to entertain and I know when I take to the stage and I see a million little lights it really is game time."

She went on to add that her third solo album A Million Lights is her best work to date, stating: "I’ve grown as a person and an artist, you can hear that in my music. I feel brand new.

“I’m bullet proof. I feel as hard as the times I’ve had but I think everything happens for a reason, even if you can’t always say what that reason is."

Cole continued: “On the first album I was really nervous after seven years with Girls Aloud. I had to step forward on my own and prove myself.

“Now I have had two number one albums so I feel I know what I’m doing. I fit into my own shoes now and I’m simply not worried anymore.”

The former X Factor judge also hit the headlines today (13th June) for confessing to going on a dinner date with Wretch 32 - who has worked with Chezza on album track Screw You - with the Traktor hitmaker telling MTV News he thinks Cole is "a superstar" and "a legend."

SEE 101 OF CHEZZA'S MOST FAMOUS LOOKS HERE!

CHECK OUT GORGEOUS PICS OF CHERYL COLE IN MTV'S GALLERY HERE!