Strictly Come Dancing is an emotional process for most contestants, but this year, that is especially the case for celebrity dancer Alexandra Burke.

The singer has spoken in Strictly's first podcast about her decision to continue on with the show, despite losing her mother only a matter of weeks ago.

Alexandra recently announced the sad passing of her mother, Melissa Bell, on 28th August – the day Strictly Come Dancing 2017’s live launch show was filmed.

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Since then she’s performed her first dance with dance partner Gorka Marquez and has spoken about how she wants to make her mum proud.

‘My biggest inspiration and my biggest role model is my mum, and sadly… she passed away a couple of weeks ago, on the day that we launched the show,’ Alexandra said.

MORE: DEBBIE MCGEE SAYS STRICTLY IS 'PROPELLING' HER THROUGH GRIEF

‘It was a really hard turning point for me, deciding whether to continue on this journey or whether to take a step back and grieve,’ she added.

‘I’ve chosen to go the route of what she asked me to do which is to keep strong and to keep going. All I can do is hope that I can make her proud, I just want to make her proud.’

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Alexandra with her late mother, Melissa. Image: Getty

Alexandra impressed the judges with her emotional Waltz on the debut show.

She and Gorka will perform again when Strictly continues on Saturday night on BBC One.

(Main image: BBC)

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