[bbfan1991]

Alesha Dixon has confirmed that she will be appearing on Strictly Come Dancing this year.

The 31-year-old singer, who won the celebrity talent show in 2007, replaced Arlene Phillips on the judging panel last year. She admitted that the ageism row which ensued nearly resulted in her quitting the programme.

She told The Sun: "There were split seconds where I thought I wouldn't go back but I don't believe in giving up, that's not in my personality or character.

"If I set myself a challenge I like to complete it. I wouldn't have taken the job if I didn't feel I could."

Dixon added: "I rode the storm and everyone on set made me feel so welcome because I knew them from competing.

"When I was a contestant it was ten hours a day, every day for four months. As judge I sat there and got to watch some great dancing. The pressure of having to dance live was tough."

Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One for its eighth series in September.

So pleased, Alesha is lovely and pretty although this will upset her detractors more or those bitter that Arlene was axed.