She shared the heartbreaking news of her beloved mother’s death last week.
And now former X Factor winner turned Strictly Come Dancing contestant Alexandra Burke has told fans she’s trying to stay strong as she struggles to cope with her tragic loss.
The devastated 29-year-old announced the passing of her Soul II Soul singer mother Melissa Bell on August 29 and, returning to social media on Tuesday, the pop star said she was thankful for the love and support of fans.
‘I miss my mummy so much’: Heartbroken singer Alexandra Burke, 29, returned to Twitter on Tuesday to thank fans for their support following the death of her Soul II Soul singer mother Melissa Bell, 53
In an emotional message shared to Twitter, Alexandra said: ‘Just wanted to take a moment and say thank you to all of those who have sent such loving messages to myself and the family.
‘It all feels unreal but I’m trying my best to stay strong. I miss my mummy so much.’
Supportive fans rushed to leave messages of condolences for Alexandra, with many praising her mother and telling her to stay strong but also take time to heal.
One wrote: ‘You need to grieve, don’t hold it all in… being strong is ok… but you need to let it out… xx.’
Another said: ‘So sorry for your loss remember you’re only human and do what’s right for you x’
A third added: ‘Sending you the biggest virtual cuddle I can. Take each day at a time and do what’s right for you at this very sad time.’
And a fourth said: ‘It’s ok not to feel ok. Everyone has their own way of dealing with grief. Remember all the good times, it’ll make you smile on bad days.’
‘It all feels unreal’: the pop star told fans she is ‘trying my best to stay strong’ as she struggles to cope with her heartbreaking loss
Getting ready for the dancefloor: Alexandra has vowed to carry on with her part in Strictly Come Dancing, saying her mum was ‘over the moon’ when she landed a place on the BBC dancing show
‘It was always a dream of hers’: former X Factor winner Alexandra said her proud mother would have wanted her to continue with Strictly
Alexandra has vowed to continue with her appearance on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing, which was announced before her mother’s tragic death.
In a statement, she said last week: ‘Mummy has always been my biggest supporter and was over the moon when I told her I was doing Strictly. It was always a dream of hers that I would one day be part of the show and I know that she would have wanted me to carry on xx.’
Melissa was just 53 years old when she passed away after a nine-year battle with kidney failure, which was brought on by diabetes.
A statement from the Burke family said Melissa died on August 28 and paid tribute to her ‘unconditional love, support, charisma, strength and courage’.
Grieving: Alexandra and the Burke family announced the passing of Melissa Bell on August 29, saying they would ‘never forget her unconditional love, support, charisma, strength and courage’
A statement from the Burke family said Melissa died on August 28 and they will be ‘eternally proud and thankful to call her our mummy’
The family said: ‘It is with the heaviest and saddest of hearts that the family inform you our beautiful, funny and loving mum, Melissa Bell has passed away.
‘Our beautiful mother gained her wings on Monday 28th of August 2017, a day that has changed our lives forever.
‘We will never forget her unconditional love, support, charisma, strength and courage throughout her life.
‘We are eternally proud and thankful to call her our mummy.
‘We would be grateful if you could respect our privacy at this difficult time.’
Melissa Bell was the lead singer for Soul II Soul for their hit single ‘Wish’
In 2013, Alexandra revealed that she had been looking after her mother, who was on life-saving dialysis eight hours a day.
Alexandra bought her mum food and spent £20,000 renovating her house so she could have the dialysis treatment there rather than in hospital.
She also began to raise the profile of organ donation after Melissa refused to take her daughter’s.
Alexandra Burke singing with her soul singer mother Melissa Bell in 2009
In a joint interview four years ago, Alexandra said: ‘I’ve tried three or four times. But mum made the choice and shut down the discussion because the doctors said it could mean I wouldn’t be able to conceive.
‘She didn’t want to restrict me from having my own life. But I was willing to adopt because I want to do that anyway.’
Melissa said that asking her famous daughter to give away a kidney would be ‘downright wicked and selfish’.
Alexandra responded by telling her, ‘I don’t think it would be a selfish choice. It’s been offered to you. I’m your daughter. Take it!’
The former X Factor winner was inspired by her mother and said she wanted to be a singer ever since she saw her mother on Top Of The Pops.