Washington, Oct 26 (ANI): British crooner Leona Lewis feels “very sorry” for people who have a problem with her long time electrician boyfriend.

The 24-year-old “A Moment Like This” singer has been romancing Lou Al-Chamaa since she was 17 and the lovebirds are still pretty much together despite Lewis’ rise to fame.

Speaking bout the “snide bewilderment” in public circles about their relationship, Lewis said: “It does make me angry. Because he”s a great person. And it doesn”t matter what you do in life, what your job is, where you come from.”

“This is real life, it isn”t make believe. For people to think that you should leave someone because, all of a sudden, you”re a singer and you have opportunities. I feel very sorry for them,” People mag quoted her as telling The Observer.

Lewis, who gained instant stardom on the British talent show The X Factor, still lives at her old home in the gritty neighbourhood of Hackney, east London.

She said: “All my friends I”ve known since I was really little. It”s not that I don”t let new people in,” she says in the interview, “but I do feel safe with people that really know me, who know who I am.”

Lewis was addressing fans in a bid to promote her book Dreams