Alexandra Burke broke down in tears on Strictly Come Dancing as she admitted she wished her late mother was still alive to see her dance.
The X Factor star scooped a staggering 39 points with her incredible jive to Tina Turner’s Proud Mary with Gorka Marquez on Saturday night.
But the 29-year-old, whose singer mum Melissa Bell passed away of kidney failure in August, couldn’t hold back the sobs as she said: ‘I just wish my mum was here’.
Devastating: Alexandra Burke broke down in tears on Strictly Come Dancing as she admitted she wished her late mother was still alive to see her dance
After being awarded the almost-perfect score, she covered her face in her hands as she wept uncontrollably.
Her Spanish dancer partner Gorka consoled her, while a concerned Claudia said: ‘You did so well. Your boyfriend and your brother are here too.’
Her beau Josh Ginelly had been seen clapping proudly in the audience just seconds before Alexandra’s breakdown.
Soul II Soul singer Melissa died in August aged 53, after a nine-year battle with kidney failure, which was brought on by diabetes.
Gutted: The 29-year-old, whose singer mum Melissa Bell passed away of kidney failure in August, couldn’t hold back the sobs as she said: ‘I wish my mum was here’
Hard to watch: After being awarded the almost-perfect score, she covered her face in her hands as she wept uncontrollably
Burke said at the time that her mother, who was a member of the Grammy-winning group, would have wanted her to continue on and compete in Strictly.
A statement from the Burke family said Bell died on August 28 and paid tribute to her ‘unconditional love, support, charisma, strength and courage’.
Alecxandra’s outburst comes after she whizzed across the dancefloor with her jive – prompting judges Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli to give her a standing ovation.
Craig drawled: ‘My goodness you created a nuclear reaction. Incredible!’ while Darcey added: ‘Even to the easiest moves, you give your all. It was absolutely stunning.’
Tragic: Soul II Soul singer Melissa died in August aged 53, after a nine-year battle with kidney failure, which was brought on by diabetes
Horrific: Her Spanish dancer partner Gorka consoled her, while a concerned Claudia said: ‘You did so well. Your boyfriend and your brother are here too’
Grieving: Burke wept as she admitted she wished her mother had been alive to see her showstopping performance
Supportive: Her emotional boyfriend Josh Ginelly had been seen clapping proudly in the audience just seconds before Alexandra’s breakdown
Shirley continued: ‘I don’t know about Proud Mary but I’m proud Shirley.’
Elsewhere on the show Davood Ghadami and Nadiya Bychkova glided across the floor for a chemistry-filled Viennese waltz to Jessie Ware’s Say You Love Me.
Shirley joked: ‘I didn’t sleep all week cos I could see was you grinding last week. But you were pure sophistication this week. You were outstanding.
Bruno alluded to Davood and Nadiya’s sizzling chemistry as he gushed over their ‘romantic rapport’.
‘I’m always so hot when I watch you two dance,’ he admitted. ‘The power of the romantic rapport you have. You really smoulder, you really connect when you dance.’
And proving he has only improved since his hip-thrusting disco last week, the actor scooped his highest score of 29.
Mollie King and AJ Pritchard sizzled on the floor in a sexy salsa to Súbeme La Radio by Enrique Iglesias.
Her former The Saturdays band-mate Frankie was watching in the audience, and gave one nugget of advice: ‘She needs to be loose Molly!’
Molly confessed to her: ‘I’m not enjoying this salsa if I’m honest, its too much pressure to look hot. They’re so embarrassing trying to be sexy.’
After the routine – which was full of lifts – Tess Daly joked: ‘Those lifts were fantastic! I’m so glad you did the bikini line.’
Darcey gushed: ‘Molly you were great! The two of you together in that was fabulous,’ but Shirley felt it ‘lacked in dance content.’
Despite the singer’s protests that it was ’embarrassing’ trying to be ‘sexy’, she impressed the judges and scored a 27.
AJ gushed of his dance partner: ‘She was fantastic. And you trusted me in the lifts so I’m happy. I was a bit nervous before, I’m not going to lie!’
Debbie McGee and her partner Giovanni Pernice kicked off Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night with a sizzling cha cha cha.
The 58-year-old wowed the crowds as she pulled off the splits during their cheeky routine to The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss) by Cher.
During rehearsals, the former magician’s assistant flirted shamelessly with her Italian dancing partner, after Giovanni dressed up as a delivery man.
She purred: ‘I’m loving you as a delivery man!’ as he replied ‘I think Debbie is enjoying it a little bit too much.’
She added giggling to the camera: ‘I’m just hoping i can deliver this cha cha cha as well as Giovanni has delivered his packages.’
McGee impressed the judges with her flexible moves, with Bruno declaring: ‘You’re very very bendy, you go up and up and up and up, where does it end?’
But the panel still gave the couple their lowest score of the series, leaving them, deflated with a total of 27.
Next up was Brian Connolly and Amy Dowden, who danced a paso doble to I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness.
Craig said drily: ‘It was very stompy, but I’m proud of you for trying to achieve it.’
Shirley added: ‘You did make a couple of mistakes, but you had a beautiful oval shape with your body – you get an extra point for that!’
After the triumph of their performance, Brian planted a smacker on Aston’s cheek in celebration declaring that he was like ‘his son’.
Next up was presenter Charlotte Hawkins, who got into the wedding spirit with a bridal-themed jive to Bruno Mars’ Marry You with Brendan Cole.
During rehearsals, Hawkins brought her husband Mark along – so that Brendan could propose to Charlotte.
The dancer joked to Mark: ‘I have a very important question. Can I have Charlotte’s hand in marriage on the Strictly dancefloor?’
Mark looked stern before saying: ‘Yeah! Why not?’ He hastily added: ‘I’m very clear that it’s not legally binding.’
After their routine, Craig said it ‘was a tiny bit laboured’ before conceding ‘but I was surprised!’
Darcey added: ‘The confidence was written all over your face. For you to enjoy it was a revelation!’ Marking an improvement on last week, they scored a still dismal 19.
Meanwhile actor Joe McFadden – who celebrated his birthday earlier in the week – performed a sultry cha cha with Katya Jones.
Bruno claimed it was ‘frantic, like someone chasing a wildcat. Your legs were so wide apart I could drive a train through them.’
Craig added: ‘You didn’t master the action and it looked awkward on you. Not your finest hour, darling.’
Their routine to Human Nature’s You Keep Me Hanging On won them 24 points.
Following them was This Morning prsenter Ruth Lansford, who smouldered her way through a moody tango with Anton Du Beke.
Despite husband Eamonn Holmes’ concerns over her health after her daily visits to the physiotherapist, the 57-year-old left judges bowled over.
Craig said smiling: ‘I’m pleased you’re making progress,’ while Darcey agreed that it was a ‘great improvement!’
The jubilant mum-of-one – and the other celebrity dancers – chanted in delight as the judges scored her a 24.
JLS star Aston Merrygold upped the tempo next, with a fast-paced quickstep with Janette Manrarra to Mr Blue Sky by ELO.
Darcey admitted: ‘I’m a little disappointed. For me, the footwork got worse. You got pigeon-toed.’
Despite her negative comments, the high-flying couple came through once again and scored a staggering 32.
Meanwhile Simon Rimmer and Karen Clifton took audiences to Hawaii with their tropical themed samba to Copacabana by Barry Manilow.
Beady-eyed judges were quick to pick up on a couple of his dance missteps, and awarded him a measly 19.
Next up was Gemma Atkinson and Aljaz Skorjanec, who sailed through an impressive paso doble to Viva La Vida by Coldplay.
Craig gushed: ‘I really and truly loved it, it was powerful,’ while Darcey added: ‘That was a gorgeous performance. I couldn’t take my eyes off you.’
And upping the ante, Shirley said: ‘Strictly is a marathon and not a sprint. and I was so impressed with what you did. You’re in for the long run.’
And the panel followed through on their positive comments, awarding them a whopping 35 points.
Meanwhile host Tess Daly stole the limelight, as she showcased her enviably toned physique in a racy thigh-split ivory gown
The 48-year-old presenter teased fans with a glimpse of her outfit in a playful Instagram video, as she performed a cheeky dance.
Making the most of her statuesque figure, Tess’ showstopping frock skimmed her long and lean physique.
The mother-of-two channeled Old Hollywood glamour with polished 40s style waves and framed her features with subtle make-up.
Sharing a glimpse of the backstage action, she captioned the clip: ‘This is what it’s like trying to get me ready…. apologies #almostready’
Looking good: Tess Daly stole the limelight on Saturday night as she showcased her enviably toned physique in a racy thigh-split ivory gown
Chic: The 48-year-old presenter teased fans with a glimpse of her outfit in a playful Instagram video, as she performed a cheeky dance
The blonde beauty has been impressing with her Strictly looks, and last week, which was centred around a movie-themed night of dancing, she cut a glamorous figure in a gold floor-length dress.
Making the most of her statuesque figure, Tess’ elegant frock skimmed her long and lean physique, and she teamed it with a pair of killer heels.
Wearing her hair in classic golden waves, the mother-of-two beamed as she took to the stage alongside raven-haired beauty Claudia.
Sizzling: The blonde beauty has been impressing with her Strictly looks, and last week, which was centred around a movie-themed night of dancing, she cut a glamorous figure in a gold floor-length dress
It comes as Reverend Richard Coles made a graceful exit last Sunday as he became the second contestant to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing.
The 55-year-old called his experience ‘joyous’ as he left the competition on Sunday’s results show, after competing in the dance-off against Sunday Brunch presenter Simon Rimmer.
Upon his exit, the Reverend also heaped praise on his dance partner Dianne Buswell.
Hot under the collar? Tess and Bruno larked about on the panel