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Not strictly dancing...Alesha Dixon is face of LA Fitness

By Lucy Tobin, Evening Standard Last updated at 15:35pm on 30.11.09

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Once she was famous for being in a girl band, then she won Strictly Come Dancing (before being landed in an ageism row for replacing judge Arlene Phillips).

Now Alesha Dixon has revealed she has signed a lucrative contract to become the “face” of LA Fitness.

Ms Dixon, 31, says the deal, which will see her advise the gym group's board, is just a start and that she has even bigger ambitions for her business career.

“In the entertainment industry, I know people come and go, so I want to make smart choices and think beyond the industry for the long term,” she told the Standard.

All working out: Alesha Dixon says her new business role will not affect her Strictly Come Dancing job

Citing Oprah Winfrey as a role model, Ms Dixon added: “As well as the LA Fitness job, I'm setting up my own production company and have a new album coming out next year. I'd love to be the British Oprah, with loads of different work, and a TV chat show.”

Dixon, who says she is “passionate'' about exercise, has signed a four-year contract and will receive up to £3 million in bonuses. She said: I hope to make fitness videos for the gyms and invent work-out plans with my choreographer.”

The former Mis-Teeq singer, who was photographed last week being turned away from Mayfair club Mahiki, said her new job will not affect her role on Strictly, which she said was going really well”.