Alexandra Burke's Biography

Who is Alexandra Burke?

Alexandra Burke won The X Factor in 2008.

Her mother Melissa Bell, who was lead singer with Soul II Soul, brought up Alexandra after her husband David Burke moved out to live with another woman.

Alexandra Burke was also raised by her grandfather Ivan while her mother was on tour.

Alexandra and the rest of the family resumed contact with her father David at her sister Sheniece's 22nd birthday party.

Alexandra is credited with saving her diabetic mother's life in July 2008 when she found her collapsed in bed.

2008 was not the first time that Alexandra Burke entered The X Factor. Three years previously she passed through the audition and boot camp rounds to make it to the final 21, but was then rejected by Louis Walsh.

Nor was The X Factor, Alexandra Burke's first TV talent show. When she was 12 she entered Star for a Night, which was won by Joss Stone.

Shortly before The X Factor in 2008, Alexandra Burke toured with Young Voices, a charity that raises money for children with Leukaemia.

Immediately following her X Factor victory in 2008, Alexandra Burke topped the Christmas singles chart with Hallelujah, which became the fastest-selling single by a female solo artist, with 576,000 copies sold.

Alexandra Burke continued to break records with Hallelujah when she became the first British female soloist to sell over a million copies of a single in the UK.

In January 2009, Hallelujah also became the biggest-selling single for a UK female soloist in chart history.

The BBC had an interview with Alexandra Burke regarding her album being released on 26 October 2009 with the single, Bad Boys, out on 12 October 2009.

US rapper Flo Rida guests on Bad Boys, which quickly topped the UK single charts.

The album was largely recorded in the USA and has contributions from Ne-Yo, Beyonce producers Stargate and Lady Gaga producer RedOne.

In 2014, Alexandra Burke made her West End debut playing Rachel Marron in the stage adaption of The Bodyguard.

In 2017 she played Doloris Van Cartier in the UK tour of Sister Act.

On 18 December 2017, Alexandra Burke got engaged to Joshua Ginnelly.

In 2018, she starred in Sir Tim Rice's musical Chess.

Alexandra Burke and Strictly Come Dancing

In 2017, Alexandra Burke became one of the contestants on Strictly Come Dancing,

Shortly after Alexandra's appearance on Strictly was announced, her mother Melissa Bell died on 28 August 2017.

Alexandra Burke was paired with Gorka Marquez and they reached the final four.

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