‘I wish my mum was here’: Alexandra Burke breaks down in tears as she gets highest score of the series on Strictly Come Dancing

The pop star's mother sadly died just days before the show started 
Emotional: Alexandra Burke sobs as she receives the highest score of the series
BBC
Jennifer Ruby14 October 2017

Alexandra Burke broke down in tears as her jive was given the best score of the series on this week’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The X Factor winner, whose mother Melissa Bell died just days before the filming began, said that she wished she’d been able to see the performance, which scored an impressive 39.

After three of the four judges gave her a perfect ’10’, Burke started sobbing while hugging presenter Claudia Winkleman.

“I just wish my mum was here to see it,” she said as her boyfriend and brother looked on from the audience.

“I have no idea where all that came from, you were out there trying to split the atom. Incredible,” said Craig Revel Horwood.

Bruno Tonioli said that the dance, which was set to Tina Turner’s Proud Mary, would have done the music icon “proud.”

Head judge Shirely Ballas said that she was “speechless”, while the audience gave the star a standing ovation.

Former Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson also had an impressive week with her Paso Doble with partner Alijaz, earning a 35.

Simon Rimmer and Charlotte Hawkins were both at the bottom of the leader board this week, earning just 19 points each.

Debbie McGee kicked off the evening with her Cha Cha Cha after dropping down the leader board during last week’s show.

McGee was dubbed a “lady” by Ballas but Revel Horwood thought she acted too much like a “Barbie doll”, earning 27 points.

Strictly Come Dancing 2017 - In pictures

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Brian Conley was on next with his Pasa Doble, which was praised for its energy and enthusiasm but he failed to get his ‘shapes’ correct, meaning that he scored just 21.

Mollie King managed to overcome her crippling nerves to perform a “saucy” salsa, but still picked up some criticism from the judges.

Revel Horwood praised her lifts but criticised her “sloppy” footwork and lack of hip rotation which earned her 27.

“It’s just so embarrassing to go out there and try and be sexy,” King told Caudia Winkleman.

EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami and Nadiya Bychkova danced the Viennese Waltz, which had the audience on their feet while Charlotte Hawkins and Brendan Cole did a wedding-themed Jive to Bruno Mars’ I Want to Marry You.

The Good Morning presenter was praised for her improvement but her poor foot work saw her at the bottom of the leader board with just 19 points.

Holby City’s Joe McFadden and Katya Jones had a disappointing week after last week’s ‘breakthrough’ dance, earning just 24 points, while Ruth Langsford earned the same with what the judges called her best dance yet.

Aston Merrygold impressed yet again with his “energetic” Quickstep, earning an impressive 32 points.

Despite his success, Claudia Winkleman cut him down to size when he said he was feeling tired because his wife is expecting a baby.

“Yes, but you’re not growing a human,” she joked.

Simon Rimmer was given a 19 for his Samba, which the judges said had a few errors, while Susan Calman jumped for joy when she was awarded her first 30.

Two couples will face the dance-off on Sunday night's show.

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