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Music superstar Lionel Richie has been snubbed by ‘X Factor’ winner Alexandra Burke… who is a 20 year old singer, who hasn’t really made it big yet, and only won X-Factor in recent months. 

However, the 20-year-old singer made such an impression on the 59-year-old star he invited her to join him on his forthcoming US tour as a support act, but Alexandra turned down the offer saying she didn’t want to attempt to make it big in America until she has created good original material and a personal unique style for herself. 

A source close to Lionel said: “Lionel made it clear he wanted Alexandra to join his tour and is very disappointed. Touring with Lionel would have been a massive opportunity, but it’s a lot of work and stressful preparation for that sort of thing. Plus at the moment Alex doesn’t have any real songs of her own.”

It is believed Alexandra’s mentor Simon Cowell – who was a judge on the UK TV talent show that discovered her – was the driving force behind the fledgling star’s decision.

Simon Cowell and everyone who works at the label Syco are determined to do what they did with Leona Lewis and shelter her away, they have a plan for Alexandra and they want her to be able to concentrate on making a brilliant album before touring with stars as famous as Lionel Ritchie.

Ms Bell, mother of X Factor winner of 2008 Alexandra Burke, who sang in the 80s band Soul II Soul, said she was outraged by Islington Council’s claims that she was a benefits cheat.

Islington Council has launched an investigation into benefits recipient Ms Bell after accusations that she has been getting paid for singing at a series of events.

Ms Bell who is a mother of four who has severe diabetes and claims thousands of pounds a year in disability and income support, has said she cannot believe these claims and is very upset by them, as she would never dream of taking money which she was not entitled to. Ms Bell rang the council to further investigate the rumoured claims and it was confirmed to her she is under investigation because of suspicion of benefit fraud, she is apparently ‘absolutely outraged.’

Alexandra, her daughter, who is 20, landed a £1 million record deal after winning the X Factor talent show last month. Ms Bell said that she had never had any professional gigs while she has been on benefits and that any money she did receive had been paid to charity.

She confirmed that she stepped in for her daughter to sing at a restaurant in Surrey on Christmas Day – but received a Christmas dinner.

Alexandra Burke hated the song Hallelujah when she first heard it and feared it could lose her the competition. When Alexandra first tried to sing ‘Hallelujah’ she stormed out of the studio in frustration when trying sing it to her mentor, show judge Cheryl Cole.

Alexandra said: “When Hallelujah got picked I was gutted. I thought I had lost there and then. I wanted to leave the show. I didn’t know the song before and it just didn’t do anything for me. It left me cold. I could not see a way to put my twist on it.”

Despite her initial reservations, Alexandra – crowned X Factor champion of 2008 –  has seen her soulful version of the Leonard Cohen song become the fastest-selling download ever. Alex added: “Now I realise what a smart choice of song Simon Cowell made by picking Hallelujah.

Alexandra has a simple and sweet view of what it means – the quest for true love. She said, “When I sing it I’m thinking about a girl who is in love with a boy and is trying to get them to notice her.”

Alex insists she is single and denies amy romance with Marvin Humes, 23, from X Factor runners-up JLS. She also laughs off reports that Gavin And Stacey star James Corden has bought her a £4,000 watch. She joked: “Show me the watch! Do you see it? There is no watch.”

Alexandra Burke’s debut album will be put off until the autumn. There were rumours that the X Factor winner’s first record would be pushed for an early release by Simon Cowell’s ‘Syco’ label and could be on shelves as early as March in time for Mother’s Day.

Bosses have now said they will follow the path marked out by superstar Leona Lewis and delay the release until around November in order to give Alexandra the best possible chance of achieving credibility to match her potential chart success. 

Simon’s company Syco want to wait to find the right songs and let her polish her skills, like they did with Leona. She can then launch it on a live X Factor show to start the promotion of the new album, Alex’s talent and appeal is closer to Leona’s levels, so they can afford to wait to get it right.

The source added that despite X Factor 2007 winner Leon Jackson’s album flop after a wait of 10 months, music executives aren’t worried that the same will happen to Alexandra.

Alexandra Burke and Ruth Lorenzo have been house hunting since their recent success in X Factor and they have new decided they have found their dream home.

The X Factor singers decided weeks ago they’d move in together after the show had ended – and now it seems they have moved into their London riverside apartment, complete with a huge 50 inch plasma screen TV, wall-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views and wet room. 

The show’s winner of 2008 Alexandra – who is still celebrating from being Christmas No 1 with her version of Hallelujah – has also splashed out on new furniture for her mum’s home in north London.

A source said: “Alex isn’t ready to live by herself yet. She and Ruth have become firm friends in the past three months. Ruth’s been an absolute rock.”

It is certain that they pair will look out for one another, and keep each other grounded. It’s an incredible time for Alex – she’s living in the most exciting capital in the world at the most exciting time of her life. The new apartment, which they’re currently renting, reflects the lifestyle to which she will soon be accustomed.

And Simon Cowell has apparently given Alexandra a holiday to Barbados to celebrate her success.

Alex said: “It’s been the best week of my life. Simon Cowell has given me a holiday to celebrate and said I can go anywhere in the world.” No wonder Alex is bursting with excitement right now, it’s an incredible time for her and will take her a while to get used to all the changes. But Alex has said all she really wants to do is get started on the album.

The X Factor winner Alexandra Burke has a new best mate – supermodel Kate Moss – who has also recently said she is a fan of runners up in the competition, JLS. 

Kate was in the audience of The X Factor a few weeks ago, and has said she was impressed by Alexandra’s performance.

She didn’t make it to the final but called Alexandra after the show to congratulate her, and the reality winner has bagged an invite to her party.

Alexandra has said: “I saw Kate in the audience a couple of weeks ago and waved to her. I met her properly last week and we hit it off. I am going to her party on Friday. She promised me I could have anything I wanted from her wardrobe. She said I could stay the night then we would go for a pub lunch on Saturday. I can’t wait.”

Alexandra is determined to be a good girl and has said she likes to have a drink but she won’t be lead astray and take things too far whilst partying alongside famous celebrities. 

One thing the girls do have in common is a passion for fashion, and Alexandra has been taking tips from the supermodel.

“I always bought her stuff anyway. The day it came out at Topshop I was at the front of the queue. She was giving me some fashion tips on what to wear.”

Kate told Alexandra to always wear her heels and not to say yes to every free item of clothing she is offered!

Cheryl Cole definitely ended the X Factor of 2008 on a fashion high note, along with her act, Alexandra Burke winning the competition after a nail biting final show competing against JLS and Eoghan Quigg, who came third place.

Cheryl appeared very emotion throughout the whole night, especially after watching Alexandra’s stunning performance with Beyonce, there were not many dry eyes in the studio, and including Cheryl’s and her expression spoke a thousand words.

Cheryl’s dress will be the main topic in the headlines this week, which was made by the designer who helped Girls Aloud revamp their image on for their latest tour – British sensation designer Julien MacDonald, he was responsible for many of Cheryl’s outfits including sequin dresses and her amazing jumpsuit!

She looked stunning in the metallic silver cut out gown, which clung to her tiny figure perfectly, only someone like Cheryl could pull off an outfit like that!  The gown is from the Spring 2009 collection, so Cheryl was a very lucky girl to be sporting it on Saturday! 

Alexandra Burke has won X Factor 2008! She managed to bag the number one spot despite a huge surge in popularity for boyband JLS, who were runners-up.

Eoghan Quigg, who has been hitting the headlines in recent weeks for his close relationship with former contestant Diana Vickers, came third in the final, voted off first due to having the lowest vote. 

Alexandra was overcome by tears and could hardly speak after hearing her name called as winner – three years after she was kicked out of the show by judge Louis Walsh having made it into the final 21.

Walsh said: “I did her a favour, the biggest favour of her life,” adding that there was “no way” she would have won the show in 2005.

The 20-year-old from north London took to the X Factor stage one more time to perform her version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, which is odds on to make this year’s Christmas Number One single.

After an emotional performance, Alex told the audience: “Thank you for making my dreams come true everyone. I have everything to thank you for. In my bones, thank you.”

Judge Simon Cowell also was amazed by Alex’s performances and said: “I’m rarely speechless but I am now. Alex, God bless you. You deserved it. I know this show isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but for everyone who’s watched it, written about it and voted, thank you very much indeed.”

During the show, Alexandra brought the house down when she introduced superstar Beyonce for a duet with her. Westlife performed alongside JLS and Boyzone with Eoghan Quigg. 

Speaking after the programme, Alexandra said: “I went for this show three years ago and I got told to go home because I wasn’t ready. I took three years to get myself ready, I came back and look what’s happened.”

Alexandra, who had been the favourite with bookies to win throughout the final stages of the show, was told she would perform with Elton John at the O2 Arena on New Year’s Eve.