Strictly Come Dancing star Alexandra Burke: ‘There is nothing fake about me’

Alexandra Burke has hit back at claims she is “fake,” saying the constant criticism she has faced on Strictly Come Dancing is taking a toll.

Burke, 29, has been accused of feuding with her partner Gorka Marquez, having backstage meltdowns and faking emotional outbursts on the live shows.

The former X Factor winner, whose mother died ahead of the series start, said “negative comments” about her on social media have left her breaking down in tears.

Speaking to the Mirror she said: “I can’t help reading the negative comments on social media about me, and it can upset me, I’m only human.

“There have been days when I’ve broken down. I’ve been taught to have a thick skin and try to control my feelings.

“It’s just a shame some people can’t see how hard I’m working – there’s nothing fake about that. Gorka and I know what the truth is.”

Her comments come days after she was forced to defend herself in the wake of reports that she was “inconsolable” after allegedly suffering a backstage meltdown over being in the dance-off for a second week in a row.

Shutting down the report she said: “Because it’s really hard to read lies. I have to say something… after the show on the weekend I actually WASN’T in the green room,” she wrote.

“I was in the physio room treating an injury then went home. No meltdown… just happy that we made it through another week.”

She also hit back at reports that claimed she had been “bickering” with Marquez, branding them “lies”.

Burke will be hoping to take home the coveted glitterball trophy when she goes head-to-head with Gemma Atkinson, Debbie McGee and Joe McFadden on Saturday night.

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One, Saturday at 6:30pm