LONDON: Leona Lewis has thanked her mentor Simon Cowell for supporting her after she was attacked at a book-signing last month (Oct09) - crediting the music mogul with helping her through the ordeal.

The Bleeding Love hitmaker was allegedly punched in the face as she signed autographs for fans at a store in London.

Peter Kowalczyk, 29, was arrested at the scene and charged with assault. He is currently awaiting trial.

Lewis admits the incident left her severely shaken, but Cowell was a big help - because his ex-girlfriend, Terri Seymour, suffered a similar attack in Los Angeles in May (09) when a woman wrapped her hands around the model's throat.

Lewis says, "Simon was amazing. He called me up and just knew what to say. Earlier this year, his ex-girlfriend, Terri Seymour, was attacked. He's still close to her, so he knew what it was like. He said, 'It's just one person - make sure you feel the love from all the other people who actually love you. It's just this one person who is actually crazy.' He was saying, 'There are lots of positives in life, try to concentrate on the positives.'"

Lewis reveals she has boosted her security since the incident, but doesn't want completely to shut herself off from the world like some stars. She adds, "I have a security guard who looks after me now, but I don't have a big crazy entourage like some people have. The whole thing was a shock, but it's something I am dealing with and trying to put behind me."