As if it wasn’t stressful enough having to master those intricate routines every week, Strictly star Alexandra Burke seems to spend most of her spare time putting various records straight in the media.
First, she had to scotch persistent rumours that she was at loggerheads with her professional dance partner Gorka Marquez, amid claims that he was dating Alex’s Strictly rival Gemma Atkinson.
Then, yesterday, she found herself apologising to fans after she was spotted wearing a coat with a real fur trim.
And now, the former X Factor winner, 29, is gobbling up the column inches again as she hits back at fans who’ve criticised her for being “fake”.
Despite ending up in a dance-off against Susan Calman on Sunday, Alexandra has generally been brilliant throughout the series – so good, in fact, that you’d think she’d had dance lessons her whole life.
That appears to have riled some viewers, who claim that the singer isn’t as ‘genuine’ as some of the other contenders.
But Alex explained that the jibes against her have left her feeling down, insisting that she has to work just as hard as her rivals.
In an interview with the Radio Times, the Londoner admitted: “I can’t help but sometimes read the negative comments people have written on social media about me being fake, and it does upset me.
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“It’s just such a shame that some people can’t see how hard I’m working, how nervous I am, but also how much I’m loving every minute of this experience – there’s nothing fake about that!
“Like everyone else, I’m nervous that I’ll forget the steps or fall flat on my face, but you can’t let those nerves show on your face. You have to smile and the audience will smile with you.”
While Alexandra and Gorka live to see another week on Strictly, the BBC dancing show is certainly going to miss Susan Calman and her professional dance partner Kevin Clifton.
The pair really shined with their blend of comedy and fondness for each other (and some of the dancing wasn’t bad either!).
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And they’re likely to have won even more fans after their appearance on last night’s Strictly: It Takes Two.
Fighting back tears, Susan, 43, told presenter Zoe Ball: “Everyone who’s voted for us over the last ten weeks… the support we’ve had has been beautiful.”
And some viewers rushed to heap praise on the comedian. One gushed: “Will miss your dancing on Strictly. You made my Saturday nights. You are a beautiful dancer. Xx”
Another added: “You are my favourite #Strictly contestant ever and probably the only one in 15 series where we saw the real person and not just the celebrity. Enjoy the tour x.”
We’re sure that Alexandra Burke would love a few comments like that when she eventually leaves the show…