Alexandra Burke Announces Mother's Death, Just Hours After 'Strictly Come Dancing' Launch | HuffPost

'I know that she would have wanted me to carry on.'

By

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

|

Alexandra Burke has announced the death of her mother, Melissa Bell, less than 24 hours after officially beginning her ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ journey.

On Tuesday (29 August), the former ‘X Factor’ winner posted an emotional statement on Twitter, revealing her mum had died the previous day.

Alexandra Burke has announced the death of her mother

PA Wire/PA Images

Paying tribute to her “beautiful” mum - who was a lead singer of R&B act Soul II Soul, before fronting group Soul Explosion - Alexandra wrote: “It is with the heaviest and saddest of hearts that the family inform you our beautiful, funny and loving mum, Melissa Bell, has passed away.

“Our beautiful mother gained her wings on Monday 28th August 2017, a day that changed out lives forever.

“We will never forget her unconditional love, support, charisma, strength and courage throughout her life.

“We are eternally proud and thankful to call her our mummy.

“We would be grateful if you could respect our privacy at this difficult time,” she added.

On Monday evening, Alexandra joined her fellow ‘Strictly’ contestants at a glitzy red carpet event, as filming on the new series got underway.

Alexandra with her mum Melissa in 2012

Dave M. Benett via Getty Images

While it is unclear if she had learned of her mother’s death at the time of her appearance, Alexandra has confirmed she will be staying with the BBC ballroom show, as it had always been a “dream” of her mum’s for her to take part.

She wrote: “Mummy has always been my biggest supporter and was over the moon when I told her I was doing ‘Strictly’.

“It was always a dream of hers that I would one day be part of the show and I know that she would have wanted me to carry on.”

Alexandra with Jonnie Peacock at the 'Strictly' launch

PA Wire/PA Images

Alexandra is one of 15 celebrities taking part in the new series of ‘Strictly’, which has reunited her with her former ‘X Factor’ competitor Aston Merrygold.

The pair faced off in the final of the ITV competition in 2008, with Alexandra just pipping Aston and his JLS bandmates to take the crown.

However, Aston is top of the bookies’ early picks to win ‘Strictly’, just slightly ahead of Alexandra, who has forged a successful career in musical theatre in recent years.

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ returns to BBC One on Saturday 9 September.

'Strictly Come Dancing' Launch 2017

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(01 of34)

Left to right, Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 at Broadcasting House in London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(02 of34)

Alexandra Burke and Jonnie Peacock at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 at Broadcasting House in London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(03 of34)

Chizzy Akudolu and Simon Rimmer at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 at Broadcasting House in London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(04 of34)

Susan Calman (left), Aston Merrygold and Debbie McGee at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 at Broadcasting House in London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(05 of34)

Brian Conley and Gemma Atkinson at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 at Broadcasting House in London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(06 of34)

Davood Ghadami and Ruth Langsford at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 at Broadcasting House in London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(07 of34)

Mollie King at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 at Broadcasting House in London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(08 of34)

Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 at Broadcasting House in London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(09 of34)

Susan Calman (left), Aston Merrygold and Debbie McGee at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 at Broadcasting House in London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(10 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Joe McFadden attends the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(11 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Chizzy Akudolu attends the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(12 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Ruth Langsford attends the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(13 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Simon Rimmer attends the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(14 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Davood Ghadami attends the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(15 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Alexandra Burke attends the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(16 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Jonnie Peacock attends the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(17 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Brian Conley and Gemma Atkinson attend the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(18 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Brian Conley and Gemma Atkinson attend the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(19 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Alexandra Burke and Jonnie Peacock attend the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(20 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly attend the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(21 of34)

Reverend Richard Coles and Gemma Atkinson at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 at Broadcasting House in London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(22 of34)

Alexandra Burke at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 at Broadcasting House in London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday August 28th, 2017 (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(23 of34)

Mollie King at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 at Broadcasting House in London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday August 28th, 2017 (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(24 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli attend the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(25 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Dancers Gorka Marquez, Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice attend the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(26 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: AJ Pritchard attends the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(27 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: (L-R) Dancers Janette Manrara, Chloe Hewitt, Katya Jones, Amy Dowden, Oti Mabuse, Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova and Karen Clifton attend the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(28 of34)

Shirley Ballas at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 at Broadcasting House in London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday August 28th, 2017 (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(29 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Contestant Debbie McGee with male dancers (back row L-R) Pasha Kovalev, Neil Jones, Brendan Cole, Anton du Beke, Giovanni Pernice, Aljaz Skorjanec, Gorka Marquez, Kevin Clifton and AJ Pritchard attend the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(30 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly attend the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(31 of34)

Gemma Atkinson at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 at Broadcasting House in London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(32 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Tess Daly attends the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(33 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell attend the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Launch(34 of34)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Claudia Winkleman attends the 'Strictly Come Dancing 2017' red carpet launch at Broadcasting House on August 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

Suggest a correction

|

What's Hot

Exclusive: Two More Tory MPs Could Defect To Labour Before The Election

Judge Calls Out Trump For Making False Claims About Gag Order

I Hit The Jackpot With The Tradwife Lifestyle Until it All Came Crashing Down

I'm A Spine Doctor. Here's 1 Thing I'd Never, Ever Do If I Had Back Pain.