Alesha Dixon

Alesha Anjanette Dixon (born 7 October 1978) is a British pop/R&B singer-songwriter, dancer, model and television personality. She first found fame in the all-female R&B trio Mis-Teeq, however the trio separated in 2005 and Dixon continued pursuing her music career as a solo artist, signing to Polydor Records. Dixon began recording her debut solo album, Fired Up, but due to poor record sales of her first two singles, "Lipstick" and "Knockdown" respectively, she was dropped from Polydor. Subsequently, Fired Up was not released in most territories, including her native United Kingdom.

In 2007 Dixon became a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing and eventually won. Her television exposure led to a successful comeback, which included her signing to Asylum Records, an offshoot of Warner Music Group. Dixon released a second album, under Asylum Records, entitled The Alesha Show in 2008, which received platinum certification from BPI in the UK.

In September 2009 Dixon became a judge on Strictly Come Dancing, replacing fellow judge Arlene Phillips. The replacement of Phillips by Dixon gained criticism, as some questioned the extent of Dixon's dancing knowledge. Dixon herself dismissed the criticism, describing it as a "storm in a teacup", and refused to stand down as judge. Dixon also stated that there has been no bad tension between herself and Phillips.