Strictly Come Dancing contestant Alexandra Burke has released a heartfeld statement on behalf of her family announcing the death of her 'beautiful mother'.
The statement posted on Twitter said, 'It is with the heaviest and saddest of hearts that the family inform you our beautiful, funny and loving mum, Melissa Bell has passed away.'
It continued, 'Our beautiful mother gained her wings on Monday 28th August 2017, a day that has changed our lives forever.
Alexandra, who won The X Factor in 2008, is due to star in the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing which starts in a couple of weeks. However the star confirmed she continue to take part following up her statement saying 'Mummy has always been my biggest supporter and was over the moon when I told her I was doing Strictly'.
Ending, 'I know that she would have wanted me to carry on xx'.
The new series of Strictly Come Dancing will start on Saturday 9th September and Alexandra Burke was at the launch event for the TV programme over the weekend.
Our thoughts are with Alexandra and her family at this difficult time.
This article originally appeared on heat Radio.