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Alesha Dixon reveals daughters inspired her return to music after five years away

Alesha Dixon said she wants her daughters to be able to see her perform on stage. (Jeff Spicer/WireImage)
Alesha Dixon said she wants her daughters to be able to see her perform on stage. (Jeff Spicer/WireImage)

Alesha Dixon has released her first new music in more than five years so that she can "lead by example" in showing her daughters how to follow their dreams.

Dixon's single War is the first new release she has put out since Stop, from fourth studio album Do It For Love, in 2016.

Read more: Alesha Dixon says home-schooling during lockdown was a challenge

The 42-year-old star told the Mirror she was driven by her desire to serve as a role model to her daughters – Azura, six, and one-year-old Anaya.

“My daughters have been a huge inspiration when it comes to me going back into the studio and releasing new music," said Dixon.

Watch: Alesha Dixon working on new album

She added: “I can’t tell my kids to go for their dreams if I’m sitting back in fear and not going for my own.

“I want to lead by example so I need to fight for what I love."

Read more: Dixon backs Diversity amid Black Lives Matter dance row

Dixon said her children have seen some of her television work, but she wants them to "see where mummy started" as a performer on stage and recording artist.

She added: "Music is what gave me all the other amazing opportunities I’ve had in my life and I would hate for them to not see me on stage.”

Alesha Dixon wants her young children to be able to see her perform live on stage. (Ollie Millington/Redferns)
Dixon wants her young children to be able to see her perform live on stage. (Ollie Millington/Redferns)

Dixon's career began as part of the pop trio Mis-Teeq, who had hit singles including All I Want and Scandalous in the 2000s.

She subsequently embarked on a solo career and released four studio albums, securing half a dozen top 40 singles in the UK, before shifting her focus to TV judging gigs on the likes of Strictly Come Dancing and Britain's Got Talent.

Read more: Dixon says witnessing violence as child shapes her as mother

Dixon said she wasn't planning to launch any of her new work until 2022, but decided to accelerate the timetable.

She said: “I’ve been working on new music for a couple of years. I haven’t finished it yet but you can put things off and worry and overthink but actually life is too short.

“You have to be present and fearless and listen to your gut instinct."

Watch: Alesha Dixon says violent childhood makes her better mum