The singer told of how the abuse she faced both online and in the press nearly caused her to pull out of the BBC ballroom competition.
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Alexandra Burke
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Alexandra faced accusations in the press of faking her tears on the show as well as reports of being ‘difficult’ and a ‘diva’ backstage, with rumours also suggesting she had a strained relationship with partner Gorka Marquez - claims she constantly denied at the time.
However, this led to her suffering a torrent of abuse from trolls, and at one point, she admitted it almost became too much for her.
Speaking on ITV’s ‘Lorraine’, Alexandra said: “It was hard on ‘Strictly’. There was a point where I wanted to quit the show a few weeks from the final because of the accusations.
“I sat with my brother at the kitchen table and said, ‘Is this worth my happiness?’
“He said, ‘Look how much you’ve overcome. Let’s keep going!’”
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Alexandra with dance partner Gorka Marquez
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As it was, Alexandra ended up making the final of last year’s competition, but lost out on the Glitterball trophy to ‘Holby City’ actor Joe McFadden.
During an interview with HuffPost UK last year, Alexandra revealed how she battled illness in the final weeks of the series, unbeknown to viewers at home.
“I’m not going to lie to you, it was bloody difficult,” she laughs. “I was in the studio every single day while doing ‘Strictly’, and I had to stop towards the end because I got really, really sick during the last three weeks of ‘Strictly’, which I didn’t tell anyone about.
“So I stopped recording because it had really affected my voice, being so ill.”
She also lamented her treatment by the press and “one journalist in particular”, saying: “That, for me, came out of the blue [and] felt to a degree… like it was a bit personal, and a slight attack.”
Strictly Come Dancing 2018: All The Rumoured Contestants
Gemma Collins(01 of08)
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Joey isn’t the only ‘TOWIE’ star to be linked to the new series. Gemma Collins’ approach to getting on the show was to threaten not to sue the BBC after she fell through the floor at last year’s Radio 1 Teen Awards if she was given a spot on ‘Strictly’.
But judge Craig Revel Horwood isn’t convinced, insisting the GC isn’t the right “calibre” for ‘Strictly’. But Gemma remained unrepentant, telling OK! Magazine: "I'll burst onto that dance floor and show them what a samba is! He won't know what's hit him." (credit:Samir Hussein via Getty Images)
Piers Morgan(02 of08)
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The ‘Good Morning Britain’ presenter could be following in his colleague Susanna Reid’s footsteps after he tweeted a snap of him dancing with former contender and Labour MP Ed Balls. He captioned the shot: "BREAKING: My #Strictly training has begun."
His nemesis Lord Sugar upped the stakes when he offered to donate £25,000 to charity if Piers does take part, and an additional £25,000 if he gets past week five. (credit:Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)
Dan Walker(03 of08)
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Piers further fuelled rumours that he’d be taking to the ‘Strictly’ dance floor after his BBC Breakfast rival Dan Walker was linked to the new series. Piers said: “I would seriously consider [Strictly] if it meant giving Walker a lesson in how to dance in front of nine million people.” (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)
Michelle Keegan(04 of08)
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‘Strictly’ did wonders for Michelle’s husband Mark Wright’s profile when he made the 2014 final. The former ‘Corrie’ star and ‘Our Girl’ actress has been rumoured to be at the top of ‘Strictly’ bosses’ wish-list for the last few years, so will we finally see her take to the dance floor in 2018? (credit:Samir Hussein via Getty Images)
Les Dennis(05 of08)
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The former ‘Coronation Street’ actor has hinted on more than one occasion that he’d love to appear on ‘Strictly’. During an appearance on ‘Sunday Brunch’ he said: “When I was doing Coronation Street I was approached but we weren't allowed to do it, we had a policy. I wouldn't mind doing it, I always like a challenge."
He reiterated his interest during an appearance on ‘This Morning’ earlier this year, saying: "I would love to do it. Yes please. Ice skating, well maybe…that's more scary. But who knows.” (credit:Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)
Nadiya Hussain(06 of08)
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The ‘Bake Off’ champ is a big fan of 'Strictly' and after being invited to watch one of the live shows last year, BBC bosses reportedly made no secret of how much they’d love Nadiya to appear on the new series. (credit:HGL via Getty Images)
Holly Willoughby(07 of08)
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The ‘This Morning’ presenter is a self-confessed ‘Strictly’ superfan, admitting that she’d “love” to learn some new moves on the 'Strictly' dancefloor. She admitted: "I'm obsessed with Strictly, so I'd love to learn to dance." (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
Cheryl(08 of08)
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We can’t help but think this is a serious case of wishful thinking, mainly on behalf of head judge Shirley Ballas who has stated she would love to see Chezza strutting her stuff. "I think Cheryl Cole would be amazing,” she said. So do we Shirl, but we reckon there’s more chance of Girls Aloud getting back together. (credit:Empics Entertainment)