The star - who shot to fame when she won British TV talent show "The X Factor" in 2006 - claimed the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 with her track "Bleeding Love" ahead of Madonna and Usher yesterday (March 27, 2008).

Her mentor Simon Cowell said: "I am incredibly proud of Leona, what she has achieved in the past year is simply amazing. I am very, very happy for her."

The last British female solo artist to achieve the feat was Kim Wilde with her cover of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" in 1987.

Leona embarked on a US promotional tour earlier this year, during which she was interviewed by US talk show hosts Oprah Winfrey and Jay Leno.

"Bleeding Love" received massive radio airplay following her appearances on the programmes, and downloads of the track also increased - sending the song to the top of the US iTunes download chart, where it has remained for the last two weeks.

This is the latest success for Leona.

"Bleeding Love" has topped the charts in 10 countries and continues to lead the radio airplay charts in 28 countries.

The 22-year-old singer's debut album "Spirit" is released Stateside on April 8.