Alesha Dixon, the former Strictly Come Dancing winner, has exclusively disclosed to The Daily Record and other Reach outlets who she’s backing in the latest series of the hit BBC dance competition.
The singer, famed for her role as a longstanding judge on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, has spilt the beans on her favourite to win the coveted glitterball trophy in 2024.
During a broader conversation about the new Media, Broadcast and Production T-level, Alesha couldn’t help but express her support for one contestant in particular.
When quizzed on which dancers have caught her eye this season, Alesha confessed: “You know, I haven’t seen this season yet.”
But she quickly followed up with a show of support, saying: “I know that JB (Gill) is in it, though, so even though I haven’t seen it yet, I’m rooting for him!”
It’s hardly shocking news given that Alesha’s rise as a solo artist coincided with boyband JLS’s surge to stardom on The X Factor back in 2008.
JLS, featuring JB Gill alongside Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, and Oritse Williams, has since seen its members grace various reality TV shows, with JB himself appearing on ITV’s Dance Dance Dance, hosted by none other than Alesha herself.
Elsewhere in the interview, Alesha opened up about her career in the entertainment industry and the new qualifications that will allow young people to do the same in a supportive environment.
The Boy Does Nothing singer has joined the T-team – a group of celebrities hailing T-levels as a game-changing qualification. Alesha is championing the brand-new Media, Broadcast and Production T-level, launched across England this September.
New stats show that 73% of people believe the routes and opportunities into the creative industries are closed off to many, while 86% of parents would feel more confident in their child pursuing a creative career if they knew more about the opportunities available.
Alesha branded the campaign “really exciting”, explaining: “Before I actually got into the entertainment industry, I wanted to be a teacher, and I absolutely love going into schools and speaking with young people.
“This campaign really spoke to me,” she continued, “So I’ve joined the T-team experts and we’re here to raise awareness on the benefits of T-levels for 16 to 19 year olds.
“I would have loved something like this when I was younger,” Alesha admitted. “I think there’s lots of stigma around working in Media and Broadcast and production. I think probably a lot of parents think that to get into media, it’s about who you know rather than what you know.
“But T-levels really lift the lid on that – this is a bona fide way into the industry where your children can be hands-on, working on an industry placement with the employer, and learning real-life skills in the classroom that are then transferable to the real world. I just think it’s a brilliant idea.”
Alesha added: “If you were a young person, knowing that you’re going to be out there in the real world, working in an industry that you aspire to be in, it would be super exciting.
Pointing out that the qualification is also beneficial to employers, she noted: “And of course, these courses are tailor-made for what the employers need and want, so it’s a completely bespoke qualification in that sense.”
She also spoke of her own experience when she started out in the entertainment industry, recalling: “I think it’s important to inspire young people and give them options, because I just think people really see the entertainment industry as otherworldly. I know I did growing up; I thought it was Mars.
“I didn’t even know it was possible to be in the entertainment industry, so I think we’ve got to lift the lid on that and show parents that there are steps you can take that will give you the confidence that your child is doing the right thing.
“Ultimately, it’s about fulfilling a passion, and that’s where my passion comes from. You get one life; you want to do something with your life that gives you satisfaction.”
I think a lot of people are nervous and fearful, so they maybe choose a safer route,” she reflected. “Or they don’t go for their dreams because they’re not sure that it’s possible.
“So I think when it comes to the creative industries, we’ve got to encourage people to go for it, because I think a lot of people choose to walk away because they don’t know how how to go about it.
“But the creative industry so exciting!” she enthused. “There are so many options and so many jobs available for young people. I always come from the viewpoint of being passionate about the creative industries, being passionate about young people and showing them what’s possible.”
Parents can find more information and access free resources by visiting the T-level info website at: www.tlevelinfo.org.uk
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.20pm on BBC and BBC iPlayer.