Estelle 'glad' to be dropped by record label

Pop star of the moment Estelle has said that she is happy she was dropped by her record label because the experience has made her stronger.

The 28-year-old singer was dumped by V2 records after her debut single 1980 failed to break into the UK chart's top ten back in 2004.

However the tough London-born songstress persevered with her career and was quickly signed by John Legend's Homeschool label.

Her latest single, American Boy, raced straight to the number one spot in March and Estelle has now said that her earlier setback proved to be the making of her.

She explained: "I look at it like building a mountain. If you get placed at the top at the start, you'd fall down quickly. You have to be confident to survive in this industry.

"You have to be screwed greatly by one label to prosper."