X Factor Alex's mum tells of illness - Showbiz - Evening Standard
       

X Factor Alex's mum tells of illness

The mother of The X Factor semi-finalist Alexandra Burke has spoken for the first time about her battle against kidney disease.

Worried: Alexandra

Former soul singer Melissa Bell is critically ill as she desperately waits for a kidney and a pancreas donor. Alexandra, 20, reached the semi-finals of the reality talent show last Saturday and is the favourite to win.

But the Islington-born starlet has secretly been worried sick about her mother's deteriorating health.

Ms Bell, 44, former lead singer of Soul II Soul, said: "I don't have any kidneys at all right now...I get really tired." But she said seeing her daughter's success has kept her strong. "Alex doing so well is the perfect tonic for me."

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