[Lewis.]

Alexandra Burke singing Listen, Accapella!

Youtube video

[Lewis.]

Any comments on te video..? I think it is brilliant

[Lewis.]

The mother of X Factor winner Alexandra Burke wept tears of anger yesterday after being told she is being investigated as a suspected benefits cheat.

Furious Melissa Bell, 44, protested her innocence as she stormed: “They’re idiots – I’ll sue them!”

The probe centres on claims that the mum-of-four – a former soul singer – has been getting paid for gigs while claiming benefits worth £17,344 a year.

Every venue the mum-of-four has appeared at within the last six months has been contacted by investigators.

Alexandra, 20, clinched the £1million a year X Factor winner’s contract and had a Christmas No 1. Now it is alleged her mother should no longer be claiming full benefits.

Melissa, who has severe diabetes, gets a monthly £258 disability living allowance and £124 per week in income support. Her weekly £150 rent and council tax fees are covered by housing benefit.

Bosses at Islington council in North London decided to launch an investigation after Alexandra and her mum are said to have discussed singing publicly together.

Melissa says the first she heard about the probe was when the Mirror contacted her. “I simply couldn’t believe it,” she said.

“But I rang the council and they have admitted I am under suspicion of benefit fraud. I’m absolutely outraged.”

Earlier this month we exclusively revealed how Melissa stepped in to sing at La Veranda restaurant in Carshalton, Surrey, on Christmas Day when Alex was unable to take the stage.

But she insists she has never had any professional gigs while she has been claiming benefits – and any money she did receive went straight to charity.

She revealed the council initially wrote to her last year demanding she start paying rent because Alexandra had finished college.

She said: “They think Alex is supporting me. If she’s giving me money I have to declare it – but she hasn’t. She’s not allowed to live in my house because that would cancel my benefits, but she’s not. Alex came here for Christmas but she doesn’t actually live with me.

“It looks like I’m a fraud because Alex came and stayed with her sick mother over Christmas for a few days.

“The council can come and search me right now. Officials have looked online at all the places I have appeared at and have contacted them all.

“But any money I’ve received I’ve given to the Kidney Patient Association.

“I am very mindful of the rules. On Christmas Day I stepped in for Alex at a restaurant because but I didn’t get paid – I got a Christmas dinner.

“I also sang at my hospital for the patients, but I didn’t get paid for that, either. I’m really upset about all this and very alarmed.”

If found guilty of the most serious offences, Melissa faces up to seven years in prison or an unlimited fine.

At the time of Alexandra’s X Factor victory last December Melissa was having to visit hospital three times a week for dialysis after collapsing with kidney failure in July.

Anxious Alex told viewers: “My mum’s really, really ill and I have to get her a kidney.”

Islington council refused to comment yesterday. A spokesman said: “We never discuss individual cases.”

[Matt08]

Bump. Apparently Alexandra's new album release has been prospered until the autumn instead of the originally planned March release.

[Lewis.]

Youtube video

Vote Alexandra at www.brits.com/vote

She really deserves it guys! Lets listen to her debut single, once more

Youtube video

[Hugo]

I have really grown to dislike Alexandra since she won XF. She seems really arrogant and cocky IMO.

[Christina]

Originally posted by Lewiis.Xx
Alexandra Burke singing Listen, Accapella!

Youtube video

She sounded amazing and i love that dress!

[KKBL]

Originally posted by HUGO
I have really grown to dislike Alexandra since she won XF. She seems really arrogant and cocky IMO.

i dont think shes cocky or arrogant,i just think her feet have been completely swept of the ground.Leona,Shayne & Leon always kept their feet on the ground.

[Lewis.]

Originally posted by HUGO
I have really grown to dislike Alexandra since she won XF. She seems really arrogant and cocky IMO.

She is just excited, i mean, imagine winning a 1 million pound recording contract, having Xmas number 1, Most downloads ever and being nominated for a Brit. I would be extatic

[Lewis.]

Originally posted by Christina

She sounded amazing and i love that dress!

I know, i Love it! She looks stunning. That was when she was at her home tour, just before the final of the X factor

[Fom]

how the frig was she nominated for a brit?!
I like Alex... but seriously?! I think X factor songs should be banned from award shows.

[Lewis.]

Originally posted by Fom
how the frig was she nominated for a brit?!
I like Alex... but seriously?! I think X factor songs should be banned from award shows.

It is a great song though, with amazing Vocals. Much better than Jeff Buckley, in terms of my taste.

[Fom]

Originally posted by Lewiis.Xx

It is a great song though, with amazing Vocals. Much better than Jeff Buckley, in terms of my taste.

Yeh but people spend so long on writing and recording songs... she won a show and sang it in the studio. She managed to finish the song in a week... if she wins, then pop music has officially become heartless.

[Lewis.]

Originally posted by Fom

Yeh but people spend so long on writing and recording songs... she won a show and sang it in the studio. She managed to finish the song in a week... if she wins, then pop music has officially become heartless.

To be fair, I do agree, all she has done is sung the song. But then again, lots of pop artists get lyricists and producers to get lyrics for their songs, so is she in the same boat as a lot of others. Vocally, Alexandra wins, But Jeff did write the beautiful song and deserves some credit for the stunning arrangement

[xDramatick]

^ Jeff Buckley didn't write it, Leonard Cohen did.
tbh, if it wasn't for Jeff Buckley, then the song wouldn't have been so popular as other artists like Rufus Wainwright wouldn't have covered it, and it'd have never been the winners single, hence Alexandra would have been shoved with something like 'Flying Without Wings' or 'Born to Try' lmfao.

[30stone]

I voted someone else...

I didnt really like the song with her singing it and there is other songs that are better.

[Lewis.]

Originally posted by 30stone
I voted someone else...

I didnt really like the song with her singing it and there is other songs that are better.

I voted for Leona. As much as i love Alex, Leona is in a different league

[xDramatick]

I voted for Adele :]
Unique ftw.

It was either her or Estelle but I had no reason to vote for Estelle other than Sam Sparro covering the song :\
If I'm honest, Alex would've been the second last person I'd have voted for.

[Lewis.]

Originally posted by Darenn
I voted for Adele :]
Unique ftw.

It was either her or Estelle but I had no reason to vote for Estelle other than Sam Sparro covering the song :\
If I'm honest, Alex would've been the second last person I'd have voted for.

I do like Adele, but i tend to go quite mainstream, which is why i went for Leona.

[Matt08]

Bump. I've asked for the other thread to be merged into this one. Anyone got any Alexandra news?

[James]

I've merged the threads, as requested.

[Matt08]

Originally posted by James
I've merged the threads, as requested.

Thanks James.

[xDramatick]

Alexandra has been knocked out of the Best Single category for the BRITs... thankfully. -runs away-

-runs back-

Youtube video

Alexandra Burke - The Man For Me.

It's a song she recorded prior to The X-Factor!
I don't like it but I thought I'd post it anyway for y'all!
Leona recorded 2 albums before XF so there could be more tracks.

[Lewis.]

Oh my god! How could you not like it? I think it is brilliant! I am so putting it on my I-pod. Shame she has been knocked out! Cannot wait for her album now! If that is her recording voice then i am so going to get the album, she is stunning!

[M X]

Only 10 more days until I see Alexandra live!!! !!