X Factor Star's Soul II, Soul Singer Mum Dies

The mother of X Factor star Alexandra
Burke, Melissa Bell, has died, her family
has announced.



Bell enjoyed a long career in music,
singing lead vocals for Grammy-winning
act Soul II Soul.



She died on Monday and is understood to
have been aged 53.




Burke, who is due to appear in the
upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing,
said her mother would have wanted her
to "carry on" and appear in the BBC
programme, as she revealed her loss.



Burke wrote on Twitter: "Mummy has
always been my biggest supporter and
was over the moon when I told her I was
doing Strictly.



"It was always a dream of hers that I
would one day be part of the show and I
know that she would have wanted me to
carry on xx."



Bell's family said in a statement: "It is with
the heaviest and saddest of hearts that the
family inform you our beautiful, funny and
loving mum, Melissa Bell has passed away.



"Our beautiful mother gained her wings
on Monday 28th of August 2017, a day
that has changed our lives forever.



"We will never forget her unconditional
love, support, charisma, strength and
courage throughout her life. We are
eternally proud and thankful to call her our
mummy.



"We would be grateful if you could respect
our privacy at this difficult time."




Bell joined Soul II Soul in 1993 after
founder Jazzie B heard her debut solo
single Reconsider.




The group's single Wish, on which she
recorded lead vocals, featured on their
greatest hits album Volume IV in the same
year.




It peaked at number 24 in the UK
singles chart.




She went on to release more solo singles
before forming a new band Soul
Explosion.




The Islington Tribune reported in 2008
that Bell suffered from kidney disease and
needed regular dialysis which sometimes
made it difficult for her to watch her
daughter take part in the talent show she
went on to win.



In 2015, Bell told The Guardian that she
had refused a kidney from her daughters
as "it may hamper their chances of having
children".



Burke told the newspaper at the time: "It
was difficult at first, but now it feels
normal to check on her every day. I would
love to help her and she says I can donate
a kidney after I have kids, but not before.



"Mum's illness means that I don't take a
day for granted."


Source-SKYNEWS