Alesha Dixon says she didn’t ask for Simon Cowell’s permission to do Dance Dance Dance
The feisty star also tells us why Strictly Come Dancing should just have three judges
Alesha Dixon wants to set the record straight: her new series, Dance Dance Dance, which sees celebrities take on iconic pop video and movie dances, is not attempting to emulate Strictly Come Dancing’s success.
“This show isn’t trying to be like Strictly at all,” insists the 38 year old, who co-presents the new primetime dance show.
“They are two very different shows with different objectives. We’re not trying to take someone who can’t dance and turn them into a brilliant dancer – all the contestants are at a good level of dancing.
Also, there is no public vote, it’s down to the judges.”
Of course, Alesha was a contestant on Strictly in 2007 and a judge from 2009 to 2011, so has she been asked back to the panel now Len Goodman has left?
“No, I haven’t!” she booms, with her trademark cackle.
“Len will be difficult to replace, though, I’ll tell you that. I know Anton Du Beke has been tipped for the spot and I love Anton but, in America, they do the show with three judges, so I don’t see why they can’t do that in the UK.”
She may not be heading back to the BBC, but this week Alesha will be putting her judging hat on once more to begin filming the auditions for the new series of Britain’s Got Talent in Blackpool.
“We have no idea when we sit down on audition day what we are going to see, which means it doesn’t become predictable for us,” explains the former Mis-Teeq rapper.
“That’s why it’s exciting when it comes back around and I think that’s why the show has maintained its popularity.”
And while she thinks the panel of herself, Amanda Holden, David Walliams and Simon Cowell is a “winning formula”, she knows she could be replaced if Simon wanted a shake-up.
“I like to think I live in the real world,” Alesha points out. “Things change, so I don’t resist it. If I am enjoying it, the public are enjoying it and the channel are happy, long may it continue, but if any of those things change, that’s life and I accept that.”
Oh, and for the record, she didn’t have to get Simon’s permission before signing up for another ITV reality series.
“The last time I checked, I was my own boss,” she says, with a glint in her eye.
It’s that feisty attitude that has helped Alesha maintain staying power in a very unpredictable industry.
She parted ways with her record company in 2011 and set up her own label in 2015 to ensure full control over her career.
“The music industry has changed a lot and will continue to change, but you have to make peace with that,” she shrugs.
“I set up my own label to do things on my terms. It’s my passion and I will continue to do it as long as it feels good.
“I want to do lots of different things because I get bored easily. One day I can be in the studio, the next I’ll be performing, then I’m judging on BGT or doing Dance Dance Dance. Juggling a lot of things motivates me.”
It’s a good job Alesha doesn’t mind juggling as she certainly has her hands full with her three-year-old daughter Azura.
“She is a ‘threenager’ now, as they call it, and she loves a moan and a tantrum,” says the star.
“She is very independent, though, and I love that. I just try to let her be who she wants to be. It’s fun watching her become a little person.”
And is she broody to add to her family with partner of four years Azuka Ononye?
“No, I am not!” Alesha insists, breaking into her infectious laugh. “I’m exhausted and there aren’t enough hours in the day!”
Dance Dance Dance Sunday 6.30pm ITV