Glorious homecoming for X Factor star Alex
 | | Alexandra Burke at the Union Chapel |
X FACTOR winner turned pop sensation Alexandra Burke was cheered on by family and friends as she made an emotional return to Islington at her triumphant home-coming gig.
Alexandra, 21, held back the tears as she wowed fans with first full solo show since shooting to stardom as the winner of TV's biggest talent contest 12 months ago.
The singer, who grew up off Caledonian Road, Holloway, sported a new haircut and sexy sequinned micro dress as she belted out hits including chart-topper one Bad Boys at the Union Chapel, in Compton Terrace, on Tuesday.
Alexandra told the crowd: "It's a pleasure to be performing for you guys. You made this dream come true for me to perform in my home town.
"It's good to see so many familiar faces. Performing makes me so happy. To see people like you singing back the words literally makes me die!"
The star mixed songs from her acclaimed debut album with covers, including a tribute to Michael Jackson.
Giving "shout outs" to her mum, dad, brothers, sister, auntie and old friends who packed the front rows, Alexandra asked: "Where's my Islington people - make some noise!"
The spectacular venue - which is also a working church - proved a fitting backdrop for a special acoustic version of Hallelujah, last year's Christmas number one.
Alexandra said: "This is the first time in a couple of years where I performed a lot of songs [at once]. I was nervous but you've made me feel at home."
Proud mum Melissa Bell, 45, former singer with Soul II Soul, spoke to the Gazette after her daughter departed to a standing ovation at the Mencap charity gig. Brave Melissa, who suffers from kidney failure brought on by diabetes, said: "I've come straight from dialysis. She had so much energy and gave it her all - it was everything I hoped it would be."
She added: "She's a good dancer but it's become very raunchy. Her dress has become shorter. I was trying to make sure nothing was showing!"
Fan Katie Harvey, 17, who travelled from Northampton-shire, said: "You expect to see her as some massive big star and she is, but she's just a normal girl from London. We were wowed by her.
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