X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke announces death of her Soul II Soul singer mother Melissa Bell

Alexandra Burke has shared a heartbreaking tribute to her mother, who passed away on Monday, August 28.

The former X Factor winner and Strictly Come Dancing 2017 contestant made the announcement on Twitter that her mother, singer Melissa Bell, "gained her wings" on Monday – "a day that has changed our lives forever".

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— Alexandra Burke (@alexandramusic) August 29, 2017

''We will never forget her unconditional love, support, charisma, strength and courage throughout her life. We are eternally proud & thankful to call her our mummy," Alexandra continued. "We would be grateful if you could respect our privacy at this difficult time."Melissa was the former lead singer of Soul II Soul, performing and recording with the group in the early-to-mid-1990s, later establishing herself as a solo artist. 

Aside from her musical career, Bell considered her children as one of her greatest achievements as she was particularly fond of her daughter, Alexandra Burke. While Burke was a contestant on The X Factor in the UK in 2008, Bell would watch her daughter’s performances on television from a hospital bed as she was too ill to go to the taping of the shows. Not wanting to miss any more of her daughter’s performances, Bell cut short her normal four hours of dialysis to see her daughter take home the win. Bell was on a waiting list to have a kidney and liver transplant after her kidneys failed due to chronic diabetes.

Tragically, Melissa Bell, the 53-year-old singer from London, passed away after a nine-year battle with kidney failure, which was brought on by diabetes.



I am soOoo devastated at the moment.
Melissa was one of the singers whose songs made my childhood great.
May God rest her soul and comfort all her loved ones- AMEN. 💔💔💔