BGT’s Alesha Dixon
As Britain’s Got Talent nears the live final stages, Alesha Dixon talks about this year’s show
Alesha Dixon says she’s learned to say no sometimes, but considering her latest list of achievements, she has definitely become a spinner of plates. As well as being a Britain’s Got Talent judge, she’s writing new music material, performing gigs and overseeing her fashion range launch – as well as being a doting mum and partner at home. Ask Alesha if she’s some kind of superwoman and she roars with laughter. This is something she does a lot: she’s self-deprecating and with a brilliant sense of humour. What you see on Britain’s Got Talent is exactly what she’s like away from the show. “It is the juggling act of being a woman,” says Alesha (38) as she reflects on her busy schedule. “But every week, I do try to make sure I spend quality time with my family.” What’s fantastic about being a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, Alesha goes on to explain, is that it doesn’t eat up too much of her time at home in London with her long-term partner, Azuka Ononye, and their three-yearold daughter, Azura. The auditions are filmed in January, she explains, and then there are the week-long live shows this month. “Everything is very structured, so it means you can be really organised,” she says. “I absolutely love our live shows. They’ve become an event on TV and are such an honour to be part of. I’ve been doing BGT for five years and we’ve worked together for so long, the chemistry you see really does happen all the time. I love it and the more we get to know each other, the more boundaries we can push when it comes to the banter!” This year, Alesha reveals, has been far tougher for the four judges to make sure they choose the right acts. “The public have seen a lot already and our job is to find something even more extraordinary,” she explains. “It’s been tough but I do think we have some great acts this year.” Simon Cowell, she adds, is on great form. “It’s all been so amazing,” she says. “The auditions went by so quickly and it’s nice to be in an environment where you do respect each other. Sitting next to David is always unpredictable… I never know what he is going to say next!” Alesha says she never feels under pressure about how she looks on the live shows. “It’s fashion and everyone has got an opinion,” she says. She’s yet to take daughter Azura to watch a full audition, but each of the judges did bring along their children when they were filming the ‘reveal’ day for BGT, to take a photograph of them sitting on the famous black judging chairs. “We’d been saying for ages we should do it and it was so lovely,” she says, beaming. “Azura had a lot of fun and they all played together upstairs.” She pauses, smiles and then adds: “What is so lovely about BGT is it is such a dream job. It allows me to do other things. This year has been all about being more creative. I am really having a great time right now.” Britain’s Got Talent live semi-finals are on iTV from monday may 29