The 26-year-old will make a brief return to the X Factor this year, supporting Louis, 61, at judge's houses, and she confessed it feels like home.

PICTURE: TULISA MAKES X FACTOR RETURN AT JUDGE'S HOUSES IN BERMUDA - CLICK TO SEE

She told the Mirror: "I owe so much to X Factor. I feel like I'm home. Everyone has my back.

"I lost touch with a lot of my friends, people I've known for years, when things were at their worst. They disassociated themselves from me and that really hurt."

Just before she was accused of brokering an £800 drugs deal, in a sting set up by undercover reporter Mazher Mahmood, Tulisa left the X Factor judging panel after two years.

READ: TULISA CONFIRMS SHE IS GETTING 'BACK TO BUSINESS' AND RECORDING NEW MUSIC

But earlier this year, Simon, 54, hinted that he's working on a permanent return for the N-Dubz singer.

Tulisa continued: "It's good to know my X Factor family have not disowned me. Louis was one of the people that stuck by me all the way. He's a true friend. He openly supported me, not caring at the time what people thought.

"I'd really like to thank the whole of X Factor, including Simon Cowell, for being so supportive of me."

After being unable to work for a year as the trial went on, Tulisa finally walked free when her case collapsed after if was discovered a key prosecution had lied.

READ: LOUIS WALSH ON TULISA'S DRUGS TRIAL – "IT WAS COMPLETE ENTRAPMENT, I HOPE HE GOES TO JAIL"

But she doesn't feel sorry for herself. She added: "That's not me. And I don't' want anyone's pity. I've had to pick myself up and get on with my life. Rebuild it again."

Tulisa will make her return to the X Factor next weekend, when she and Louis will be choosing the groups who will make it to the live shows.