Alex just loving Strictly line-up

DESPITE former Strictly contestant Debbie McGee slating the show’s 2018 cast, singer Alexandra Burke insists that this year’s line-up is one of the best yet.

In fact last year’s finalist, Alexandra, right, exclusively tells Day & Night: “I think the line-up is amazing. And I’d just say to the stars, get ready for the journey of your life!”

The latest batch of celebrities includes YouTube star Joe Sugg and TV presenter Stacey Dooley. Debbie, 59, admitted: “There’s not that many people I know.”

However Alexandra believes those from the current crop who practise hard enough to make the latter stages will be ballroom dancing experts for life.

She said: “If you do get to the final you’re laughing because you’ve learned all the dances. I loved all the moves, the cha-cha, the jive... so my advice is to work really hard on it.”

Since last year’s series came to an end Alexandra, who celebrated turning 30 on Saturday by watching pal Rita Ora perform at London’s G-A-Y (left), has become the first ambassador for London’s Notting Hill Carnival.

She said: “It’s such a privilege. I’ve been coming from a very, very young age and it’s one of my favourite events.”

Meanwhile the former X-Factor contestant has also been a regular in the West End, most recently taking to the stage in Chicago where she is playing Roxie Hart until October 13.

BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing returns to our screens on September 8.