Singer Cheryl Cole (C) is seen taking part in an exercise during a visit to British troops on September 14, 2011 in Helmand Province in Afghanistan.[Photo/Agencies]

Cher Lloyd feels like she "owes" Cheryl Cole.

The 'Want U Back' hitmaker - who was mentored by the Girls Aloud singer on the 2010 series of 'The X Factor' - admits she put her "foot in it" when she accused the 'Parachute' singer of miming and relying on computer auto-tuning to perfect her vocals, but she is "very grateful" for all Cheryl's help.

She said: "I do owe her. The 'X Factor' was a great platform for me and she really did help me and I'm very grateful.

"I think I really did put my foot in it and now I've realised that what I said was wrong, obviously, and I said sorry.

"And I think it got fully taken out of context, but I think I understand now that you need to be on form and be aware of what you're saying all the time.

"I'm always doing it. I think I get too comfortable with just being myself. I forget that people are watching me."

While the 18-year-old brunette was appreciative of Cheryl's assistance at the start of her career, Cher - whose debut single 'Swagger Jagger' topped the UK charts last year - admits it is now down to her whether she is successful or not.

Speaking on UK TV show 'This Morning', she added: "You know, I wouldn't say that I wasn't grateful for what she had given me - the opportunity that she had given me, putting me through and things like that - but I feel like from here, it's down to me to do as best as I possibly can."