Strictly abuse was mentally scarring but I’ll bounce back for the live tour, says Burke

ALEXANDRA BURKE, the singer and finalist in the last series of Strictly Come Dancing, has said the online abuse and criticism she received during her time on the show has left her and her family “mentally scarred”.

The former X Factor champion was accused of fake crying on the dance show and branded a diva as rumours emerged of backstage tantrums.

However, she said the positive experiences outweighed the negative and she was excited to be reunited with Gorka Marquez, her dance partner, for the Strictly live tour, starting Jan 19.

She said: “I had a really rough ride. I think it got to maybe week 11 and I spoke out and that is when it kind of stopped. Not stopped totally, but a lot of people stuck up for me.

“A lot of love was there before, but it just came through so much after I finally said it was damaging.

“I’m not going to lie – I don’t miss that part of it at all. That part of it mentally scarred me and still has and it has done that to my family as well, but I think we are strong – we will bounce back.”

Her mother, Soul II Soul singer Melissa Bell, died aged 53 shortly before the show began and Burke said the family was trying to heal.

Recently engaged to Joshua Ginnelly, Burke will be joined on tour by fellow contestants Gemma Atkinson, Susan Calman, Davood Ghadami, Debbie Mcgee and Jonnie Peacock, as well as Joe Mcfadden, the Strictly champion, and judges Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell.

Burke expressed her disappointment that Shirley Ballas, who replaced Len Goodman as head judge in the latest series, will not be there.

“I’m quite gutted about that, I wanted all of them,” she said. “Then I found out it’s only three, that’s what they do.” Asked if she hoped Ballas would return for the next series, she said: “She had better be back, she’s a dream. I love her, I’m a massive fan.”