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'Strictly Come Dancing': Alexandra Burke And Aston Merrygold Speak Out On Going Head-To-Head For The Second Time

They went up against each other in the 2008 'X Factor' final.
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Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

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Alexandra Burke and Aston Merrygold are responsible for one of the best ‘X Factor’ showdowns ever in the 2008 final, but they’ve insisted the competition between them will not be as intense when they go head-to-head on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

The pair are both contestants on the new series of the BBC ballroom show - nine years after Alexandra triumphed over Aston’s band JLS on the ITV talent competition.

However, rather than be rivals, they are hoping to help each other through the gruelling ‘Strictly’ regime.

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Aston Merrygold and Alexandra Burke are both contestants on this year's 'Strictly'
BBC

“Do you know what? Honestly, it honestly doesn’t feel like a competition,” Aston told HuffPost UK and other reporters.  

“Alex is brilliant so I can’t wait to see her dance.”

He added: “It’s nice to have a bit of a support network within as well.”

Alexandra also said: “Aston and I have a special relationship. I am constantly clinging to him because he is my comfort and my support. The fact there is somebody there who is my friend and who I know is amazing.

“At the end of the day, we’re there to support each other and we have been since the beginning. I especially want to support him because he’s expecting a new baby soon and he’s going to be away from his family for quite some time, from his Mrs, but I just want to support him.

“He’s my friend and wherever we go in the competition, we will support each other to the end.”

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Alexandra and JLS in the 2008 'X Factor' final
Ken McKay/REX/Shutterstock

Aston is currently the bookies’ favourite to win the show - ahead of Alexandra - but he can’t understand why, despite being in a boyband who regularly showed off their moves on stage.

“We enjoyed dancing, but in terms of this whole experience, is just different,” he insisted. “Argentine Tango, waltz - these are not things that me and the boys - when we sang ‘Everybody in Love’, we’re not going to do it to a waltz do you know what I mean? So it’s just one of them things.”

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ launches on Saturday (9 September) at 7pm on BBC One, when the celebrities will learn who their professional dance partners are.

'Strictly' Dream Pairings
Mollie King with Pasha Kovalev(01 of16)
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Why? Pasha has plenty of experience in training stellar stars, but in the past two years, he's been paired with less-than-stellar celebs (sorry to Carol Kirkwood and Naga Munchetty).

It's about time he had a decent chance of winning the Glitterball Trophy again, so we're matching him with Mollie King, who is currently second favourite to win. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Aston Merrygold with Chloe Hewitt(02 of16)
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Why? Chloe was one of the two professionals who didn't have a partner last year, so it's time for her to come off the subs bench.

Meanwhile, at 5'4" (and a bit) Aston isn't exactly the most statuesque celeb, so he'll need a pro who is also on the petite side. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Ruth Langsford with Gorka Marquez(03 of16)
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Why? Look: We were not happy to see Ruth bottom of the list when it came to the bookies' odds, and we were even less impressed when Eamonn Holmes joked about it on 'This Morning'.

So... How can this be improved? What would a smile on our faces? And, more importantly, Ruth's? Gorka. Marquez.

Or as his series 14 partner Tameka Empson nicknamed him, 'Gorka the Corka'. (We're saying nothing) (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Davood Ghadami and Katya Jones(04 of16)
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Why? Ed Balls was both a blessing and a curse for Katya in the last series. On the one hard, they were never going to win, but on the other: Ed Balls.

His - how shall we say it? - limited dance skills meant we never really got see Katya's full potential, which is why Davood - who just looks like he could be pretty good, to be honest - would be an ideal match. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Gemma Atkinson with Giovanni Pernice(05 of16)
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Why? Gemma is yet another star with a strong chance of 'Strictly' success and she's already showed off some moves on Instagram.

She's also into keeping fit so will be able to hit the ground running, much like Giovanni's previous partners Georgia May Foote and Laura Whitmore. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Joe McFadden with Nadiya Bychkova(06 of16)
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Why? Nadiya is one of the three new female pros joining the show this year and while basic maths can tell you that one of them will be left without a partner, we don't think it will be the two-time Latin and ballroom world champion.

And then there's Joe: A TV star who has already built up a strong fanbase thanks to his roles in 'Holby City' and 'Heartbeat'.

We have absolutely no factual basis for this next point but we think he could be the dark horse of the competition (with the right training, of course). Nadiya, it's over to you. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Simon Rimmer with Janette Manrara(07 of16)
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Why? Janette's best year (in terms of how amazing it was to watch, rather than final standing) came when she was paired with dark horse Jake Wood.

Yes, a TV star, lacking in the hair department, who claimed he wouldn't be all that great.

Sound familiar, Simon? (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Chizzy Akudolu and Kevin Clifton(08 of16)
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Why? While the lovable Kevin managed to bring out Louise Redknapp's fun and silly side last year, it's fair to say it took a while for the pair to settle in and have a good laugh.

What he needs this year, is a laugh-a-minute time during rehearsals and someone who isn't afraid of a joke or two mid-routine. And who could be better for that than Chizzy? (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Jonnie Peacock and Oti Mabuse(09 of16)
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Why? OTI WAS ROBBED LAST YEAR. Never mind Danny Mac, she deserved to win. Hm? We need to let it go? Never.

Anyway, Oti needs to win. Her competitive side and ambitious nature will need someone seriously great so... Who here is an experienced winner? Perhaps there's... oh, we don't know... a medalist? Maybe a Paralympian who has scooped gold on multiple occasions? It's a match made in 'Strictly' heaven. #JusticeForOti (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Debbie McGee and Brendan Cole(10 of16)
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Why? We're surprised it's taken this long for BBC bosses to sign up Debbie, and now that's she's getting her dancing shoes on she deserves the full, 'Strictly' experience with one of the programme's most well-known and longest-serving names. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Charlotte Hawkins and Neil Jones(11 of16)
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Why? Neil - Katya's husband and pro partner - was left on the sidelines last year, so we'd like to see what he's made off in 2017.

This does mean one of the former pros would have to take a backseat, but we'll get to that later.

And while we see Charlotte on 'Good Morning Britain' everyday, being forced to sit in Piers Morgan's shadow doesn't often give her enough time to shine, so why not have them help each other? (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Brian Conley with Karen Clifton(12 of16)
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Why? Karen has a history of bringing out the best in celebs who are barely above average to start with. (Exhibit A: Mark Wright who went on to come fourth in series 14 after achieving a middle-of-the-road 24 points in his first ever episode.)

Brian would be one of her biggest challenges yet (sorry Bri, if you're reading this) but we reckon she could make a dancer out of him yet. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Alexandra Burke with Aljaž Skorjanec.(13 of16)
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Why? With her West End experience and 'X Factor' dance training, Alexandra will need someone who is willing to set serious challenges, while having a giggle along the way, ok.com?

Also, Aljaž hasn't tutored a winner since his very first series in 2013 and we think he has what it takes to become the first male pro to triumph twice. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Reverend Richard Coles with Dianne Buswell(14 of16)
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Why? It's not easy picking partners for the new dancers, but we think fiery Dianne - who has experience of working on stage shows including 'Rock Of Ages' - would be a strong choice for this wildcard booking, The Communards musician-turned-man of the cloth Richard. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Susan Calman and AJ Pritchard(15 of16)
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Why? Well, aside from the fact there are only two choices left for Susan, AJ is a little on the titchy side, making him the ideal height for her.

Also - and we do, genuinely, hate to say this - she may leave the competition at an early stage, which would mean superstar choreographer AJ could help out when the other pair's dances get more complex in the later stages (It's totally normal for this to happen when the couples start having more people on the dancefloor during their routines).

Which leaves... (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Anton du Beke and Amy Dowden without partners(16 of16)
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Why? Ok, hear us out on this one. Obviously, Amy is new so it makes perfect sense for her to dip her toe by working as choreographer, taking part in the group dances and appearing on 'It Takes Two'.

Anton is at the other end of his 'Strictly' career and made no secret of this fact he would have loved Len Goodman's judging panel role - which is why we think it's time he was offered a new job on the show, perhaps as a permanent 'It Takes Two' expert or lead choreography role. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
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