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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 31 October 2008

Alexandra Burke

Mum’s ‘soul food’ gives a boost to X Factor’s Alex

WITH four more nail-biting weeks to go, and support from England footballer Wayne Rooney, Islington’s X Factor finalist Alexandra Burke has been tucking into a little home cooking – lovingly prepared by her mother Melissa.
Twice this week Melissa has taken large containers of Caribbean “soul food” by car to the Wembley mansion where Alex and the other eight contestants are staying during the competition. Mother of four Melissa, who lives off Caledonian Road, said: “Alex is fine but she misses her mum’s home cooking. She needed something to keep her spirits up, so I did spicy Jamaican chicken, peas, home-made macaroni cheese, coleslaw, and a nice, crisp, green salad.”
The finalists are able to cook for themselves or call out for takeaways. But with rehearsals, dancing and exercise regimes, food is often low down on priorities.
Melissa added: “She’s having a great time and she’s keeping well. On Wednesday she attended the James Bond film premiere with the other contestants.
“Mum’s food will give her strength. She’ll need everything she’s got because it’s disco week tomorrow Saturday. I think she’ll really excel herself.”
Odds on Alex, a former pupil at Copenhagen primary and School Elizabeth Garrett Anderson school, winning are currently between 7/1 after being 3/1 at the beginning of the competition.
She received an enormous boost recently when Wayne Rooney, who has apparently spotted X Factor winners for the past two years, suggested she could win this time.

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