Alesha Dixon: Age, Career And Babies

You’ll recognise her best as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent but where did she start off and what is Alesha Dixon’s age?

Rising to fame in the girlband Mis-Teeq, before pursuing a solo career, Alesha has had us singing along to her hits, dancing on Strictly and nodding along with her as she judged Britain’s Got Talent.

A singer, dancer, judge mother, and activist, she wears a fair few different hats but always an infectious smile.

So, having been in the spotlight for 20 years, with a net worth of £2.8 million, we’re taking a look at Alesha’s life in the lime light.

What Is Alesha Dixon’s Age?

Born on the 7 October 1978, Alesha Dixon is now 40 years old.

Image Source/ Instagram

Her Early Life

Alesha was born and raised in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire with her six half-siblings. Alesha’s father is Jamaican and her mother Scottish.

Her parents separated when she was just four years old and her father moved away and as a result, Alesha later called her family ‘very dysfunctional’.

For two years, between the ages of eight and ten, Alesha lived with her mother and her new partner who domestically abused her.

It wasn’t until 20 years later that Alesha spoke about her issues when she created a BBC Documentary entitled Don’t Hit My Mum. 

In it, she contemplated the issue of domestic abuse from the perspective of a child.

She described her own childhood:

“When I think about that time, I don’t remember living in harmony, I don’t remember any fun times, I suppose because the negativity has clouded it.

The negative times and the scary times have blocked anything that was good …

I believe that every child has the right to grow up in an environment where they feel secure and fearless going into the world, and I didn’t really feel that”

Image Source/The Telegraph

Where Did Her Career Start?

Alesha’s first job was in Ladbrokes. However, it was her aspiration to be a PE teacher so she completed a study in sports studies.

At the time, Alesha planned to attend Loughborough University. Yet all of that changed after she attended dance classes.

In 1999, her and fellow dance partner Sabrina Washington formed a group with Su-Elise Nash. They approached her after seeing her audition for another group and the trio was formed.

Soon after, Telestar Records signed the girls, adding fourth member Zena McNally and together, they became girl group Mis-Teeq.

Mis-Teeq released their first single Why in 2001. Although the song didn’t receive any initial response, a garage remix launched it to success, taking the single to number 8 in the charts.

After the song was released, McNally left the group. She blamed friction between Washington and herself as the reason.

Continuing as a trio, they released their second single All I Want which went in at number 2.

Their second album was the thing that propelled the girls to fame with hits such as Scandalous.

The last song that Alesha Dixon recorded with Mis-Teeq was Shoo Shoo Baby. Then, in 2005, it was announced that the girls were separating to pursue solo careers.

Ridin’ Solo

Launching her solo career, Alesha signed a £500,000 deal with Polydor Records.

After a year writing and recording her solo album, her first single Lipstick charted at number 14.

With her second single Knockdown charting at 45 on the UK Singles Chart, she was dropped from her record label.

Strictly Come Complaints

It was 2007 when Alesha took part in Strictly Come Dancing, dancing with professional Matthew Cutler. She managed to dance her way to the final, claiming that famous Glitterball trophy for her own.

She said at the time:

“there’s always this preconceived idea that people do reality TV shows because they want to kick-start their careers whereas I was actually worried that it would affect it.”

Despite her fears, being champion of Strictly actually put her in the centre of a bidding war between several record labels; one of which was Polydor!

Instead, Alesha decided to sign with Asylum records.

Alesha’s first album, The Alesha Show, was released in 2008. Her official first single from the record, The Boy Does Nothing, was her first solo album to reach the top 10.

Her second single was Breathe Slow which also cracked the top 10, peaking at number six.

In 2009, it was announced that Alesha would be joining the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel.

Replacing Arlene Philips, Alesha’s judging was met with criticism as the show received 272 complaints.

Britain’s Got Alesha Dixon

At the beginning of 2012, the singer announced she would be leaving the Strictly universe in order to pursue other projects.

Soon after, she announced that she would be joining Britain’s Got Talent as a judge alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and David Walliams.

Reportedly, Alesha’s salary tripled by moving from BBC to ITV.

Personal Life

In 2005, Alesha married Michael Harvey Junior; and English rapper, actor, TV personality and non-League footballer.

The two divorced a year later after Harvey had an affair with singer Javine Hylton.

In 2013, Alesha announced that she was expecting her first child with her partner Azuka Ononye, a former backing dancer.

Source/Twitter

The TV personality tweeted about the arrival of her baby girl but her fans were caught of guard by the sudden arrival.

Having kept the pregnancy a secret, Alesha commented:

“It seems quick because I was hiding it for so long!!! I was in my 6 month of pregnancy at the Britain’s Got Talent final! 🙂 xxx.”

Just earlier this year, it was announced live on air by presenting duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly that Alesha was expecting her second child.

Singing a musical opening number, they sand ‘Alesha is expecting’ in perhaps one of the best pregnancy announcements ever!

Video Source/ YouTube

After the news broke, she divulged:

“I feel great actually, I feel so much more relaxed this time around.

“It’s great the first time around, you read every single book going and the second time you’re like, I’ve got this.”

It is still unknown when her second child is due.

Charity Work

Alesha has previously explained how herself and other celebrities have a moral responsibility to do good work.

She said:

“Being in the entertainment industry I do feel I have a responsibility that comes with my fame”

Comic Relief

As part of her charity works, she has climbed Mount Kilamanjaro for Comic Relief alongside other celebs including Fearne Cotton, Cheryl Cole and Gary Barlow.

Together, they raised over £3,500,000 to help combat malaria in Tanzania.

African-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust

Alesha is also a patron of the African-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust; a charity which aims to increase the number of Black and Multiracial people on the UK Bone Marrow Register.

Animal Rights

Alesha, herself is a pescatarian. She works with various campaigns to protect the ethical treatment of animals.

Having travelled Romania to rescue Brown Bears from a zoo, Alesha is active in her protection of animals whilst also using social media to encourage others to do the same.

On Twitter, she encouraged her followers to sign an online petition which called for a ban on stunning animals before they were slaughtered.

Image Source/Instagram

Women’s Rights 

In 2013, the singer led a march down Westminster Bridge to the Houses of Parliament in order to raise awareness of domestic violence.

She commented:

“Awareness of domestic violence is still shockingly low and that’s why it’s so important that we raise awareness about a subject that is too often ignored”