Strictly Come Dancing viewers in tears as Alexandra Burke breaks down after emotional waltz

Burke's mother died last month, ahead of her debut on the show
Emotional: Alexandra Burke and Gorka Marquez
BBC/Guy Levy
Emma Powell25 September 2017

Alexandra Burke left Strictly Come Dancing viewers in tears after she made her debut on the BBC ballroom show weeks after her mother died.

Burke, 29, was overcome with emotion as she took to the dance floor to perform the waltz with partner Gorka Marquez.

The pair danced to Aretha Franklin’s (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman – which left Burke in tears.

Her appearance on the show comes less than a month after she announced the news of her mother’s death.

Viewers were left ‘crying their eyes out’ as they praised Burke for her strength.

The judges also praised the emotion behind Burke’s performance with new head judge Shirley Ballas hailing her a “frontrunner”

“I got carried away with the emotions with you,” she said.

“My advice is, because I think you’re probably going to be a frontrunner, when you do a sashay for example you must come out toe flat. Focus on your legs and your feet.”

Bruno Tonioli said: “You make me feel so good – touchy and feely. I felt like I was enveloped by silk. You have a natural artistry that gets you in touch to what the feeling of the song is.”

Even resident Mr. Nasty deemed it “lovely”.

Burke wrapped up week one with 24 points which will be carried through to next week.

Strictly Come Dancing 2017 Contestants - in pictures

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Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One next Saturday at 6:45pm.

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