Alesha Dixon

Like Matt Willis, Kenzie, and Kerry Katona before her, singer Alesha Dixon became a household name not through her dance-pop music, but thanks to an appearance on a reality show.

One of seven children born to an English mother and Jamaican father, Dixon grew up in Welwyn Garden City and initially planned to become a P.E.

teacher.

After completing a diploma course, she was about to take a position at Loughborough University when she was approached on a train by a record producer, who asked if she could sing.

Inspired, Dixon put her degree on hold and spent the next few years trying to set up various girl bands without much success.

While working in a factory packing toothpaste to fund her musical ambitions, she eventually met Sabrina Washington at Dance Attic, a jazz/hip-hop dance academy in West London.

The duo recorded a demo together, "Inspiration," before meeting Su-Elise Nash, who joined with Dixon and Washington to form the Mis-Teeq trio.

Mis-Teeq signed to Telstar Records and, after fourth member Zena McNally joined, the group released its debut single, "Why," in 2001.

Initially an R&B act, the group soon embraced the garage sound that dominated the charts in the early noughties to become one of the biggest girl groups in the U.K.

All five singles from their platinum debut album, Lickin' on Both Sides, reached the Top Ten and the band was nominated for both Brit and MOBO awards.

With her photogenic appearance and quickfire MC skills, Dixon became the unofficial frontwoman of the group and earned a reputation as one of Britain's most exciting pop stars.

In 2004, Pharrell Williams personally asked her to be the female lead in N.E.R.D.'s "She Wants to Move" video after spotting her on the cover of Arena magazine.

Second album Eye Candy spawned their biggest hit, "Scandalous," but the group broke up in 2005 amidst financial problems with the Telstar label.

Alesha soon signed a £500,000 deal with Polydor Records and started work on her debut album, Fired Up, with some of the U.K.'s most illustrious songwriters, including Richard X and Xenomania.

Debut single "Lipstick" reached number 14 but follow-up "Knockdown" failed to reach the Top 40, and she soon parted company with her label.

Dixon retained the rights to Fired Up and eventually released it in Japan in 2008.

Her inclusion on the hugely popular BBC show Strictly Come Dancing at the end of 2007 managed to steer her career back on track.

A favorite with judges and fans throughout the series, she was crowned the winner alongside partner Matthew Cutler.

This led to several high-profile gigs, including recording a song for a new Ford Focus promo, presenting a BBC documentary on airbrushing, and working with Solange Knowles and Marsha Ambrosius from Floetry on her second album.

~ Jon O'Brien, Rovi

Alesha Dixon has been named as co-host of the MOBO awards, alongside radio DJ Reggie Yates.

(BANG) -

Alesha Dixon will co-host the MOBO awards.

The 'Drummer Boy' singer will join radio DJ Reggie Yates to present the awards, held in Liverpool, North Western England, next month.

Alesha said: "I hosted it years ago with LL Cool J. I've performed with Mis-Teeq so for me it's like coming home; I don't even think the show is about music of black origin any more. It's just about great British music."

Although the ceremony - which honours musicians of any background who perform Music Of Black Origin - features a number of categories for UK artists, there are also awards for Best International Act and Best African Act, and a number of categories feature nominations for a number of international artists, such as Best Reggae Act and Best Gospel act.

Leading this year's awards is UK rapper Tinie Tempah, with four nominations including Best UK Act and Best Song, while N-Dubz, Dizzee Rascal, Professor Green and Plan B all received three nominations.

The MOBO Awards will take place held in Liverpool on October 20. Fans can vote in all award categories by visiting www.mobo.com.

Alesha Dixon will not be re-forming with her former band, 'Scandalous' hitmakers Mis-Teeq.

(BANG) -

Alesha Dixon will not reunite with Mis-Teeq.

The 'Breathe Slow' singer, who is also a judge on Britain's 'Strictly Come Dancing', claimed she would not get back with her old bandmates.

She said: "There are no plans for Mis-Teeq to re-form. We're all friends and have a lot of respect for each other but we've all moved on in life.

"We're not the sort of group who would get back together just for the sake of it."

Discussing her next solo outing, 31-year-old Alesha said it would be recorded this year.

She said: "I'm going back in the studio to record my second album. I'll probably do another documentary, there's 'Strictly' and I'm in discussions to do my own talk show."

Alesha also claimed she enjoyed the perks of being a celebrity.

She told The Metro: "I get sent nice bits and bobs, such as mobile phones, but it isn't a regular occurrence. The main perk is waking up to a job I love to do each day."

Alesha Dixon doesn't have time to have a boyfriend, because she is too busy focusing on her career.

(BANG) -

Alesha Dixon is too busy to have a love life.

The 'Strictly Come Dancing' judge - who was once married to former So Solid Crew star MC Harvey - is single at that moment because she is concentrating on her career.

She said: "I don't have a love life - it's going really well! I'm single and I'm not seeing anyone. It's because of my schedule - they have me working until two in the morning and up again at six. But there's nothing wrong in being single."

Although Alesha's ex-husband cheated on her with her friend Javine Hylton, the sexy singer says it hasn't put her off marriage.

She said:"I would get married again, definitely."

Alesha also revealed she is being "haunted" by her famous laugh, which has become as well known as she is.

Talking about her bellowing cackle, she said: "I'm getting haunted by my laugh! Everyone I go some always does an impression of it, I can't escape it!"