Monday, 10 November 2008

Alesha Dixon: Strictly Come Dancing is not racist

Singer insists skin colour has nothing to do with how the public vote

Alesha Dixon won Strictly Come Dancing with partner Matthew Cutler last year

Alesha Dixon has rubbished claims that Strictly Come Dancing viewers are racist.

The show has come under fire after black contestants Don Warrington, 56, and Heather Small, 43, repeatedly came in the bottom 2. Both have now been voted off the show.

But Alesha thinks skin colour doesn’t factor into the public vote.

‘If it was racist, how could I have won?’ she says. ‘I think it’s a storm in a teacup. I actually think that’s quite insulting to the British public.

‘The truth is that the public vote when they like someone’s personality, as well as when they like their dancing. Some people have bigger fan bases than others, that’s all.’

Alesha, 30, was crowned Strictly champion last year with dance partner Matthew Cutler.