Burke almost quit Strictly

SUCH was the criticism Alexandra Burke received on Strictly she has now admitted she came close to quitting the show – and would have done if her brother hadn’t convinced her otherwise,

“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!”’ she said on ITV’s Lorraine (Kelly).

Alexandra has previously spoken about how her confidence on the Saturday night staple was mistaken for arrogance but now admits even that was an act, adding: “I put up a front. I’ve been accused of being arrogant and overconfident because of it.” Despite being the overwhelming favourite to lift the glitter ball trophy the 29-year-old came second to actor Joe McFadden. It’s more than five months since the series finished but the 2008 X Factor winner is still hurting about that time, no doubt compounded by having to deal with the death of her mother, former Soul II Soul singer Melissa Bell, in August. “Looking back I didn’t know what I did wrong to make people think that way about me. All you can do is be yourself. I’m just a girl from North London and living a great dream. Life is about happiness.”

RAUNCHY Rihanna launched her new lingerie range in New York – and proved a (virtual) hit! The 30-year-old debuted the Savage X Fenty selection but to prevent the Bajan having to change every three seconds a series of holograms were used to show her wearing some of the outfits. “We put this together especially for you guys because this is a project we’ve been working on for a few years now, believe it or not,” said Rihanna. Billed as having “90 affordable inclusive styles” the new range is said to be suitable for women of all shapes and sizes.