Alesha Dixon is leaning on Amanda Holden amid 'split' - 'She knows what she's going through'
After nearly two decades together, a friend of Alesha Dixon's reportedly told the Sun last week that the BGT judge has called it quits with her 'husband', choreographer Azuka Ononye. Now, as the mum-of-two tries navigates this next chapter of her life, it looks like her nearest and dearest are rallying around her - in particular, her Britain's Got Talent co-host and good friend, Amanda Holden.
Although never officially marrying Azuka, Alesha often referred to him as her 'husband', and the rumour mill went into overdrive when it was alleged that the 46-year-old had called time on their union. Reportedly, the TV star shared with her inner circle that her romance with the dancer had fizzled out and they had decided to go their separate ways.
For Alesha, freshly single and dealing , Amanda will surely be right there to support her, if needed.
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Amanda and Alesha's friendship first blossomed when they met on Britain's Got Talent and it's gone from strength to strength every year. In fact, Alesha's even admitted if Amanda was to leave the show, she "might not still be sitting here five or six years later" - dubbing their close friendship as the "secret ingredient."
And according to a source, it's their shared understanding of what it really takes to be in this industry that's cemented their friendship.
Amanda, of course, has experience of a relationship breaking down in public - most notably with Les Dennis, after their marriage was rocked by an affair and then ended in divorce - meaning she's sure to understand what Alesha is going through.
During Alesha and Azuka's almost-two decades together, Alesha - who previously tied the knot to brit rapper MC Harvey from So Solid Crew back in 2005 - rose to stardom. First becoming a household name making her mark on the UK music scene, her fame was then catapulted by appearances on popular shows like Strictly Come Dancing.
Our source explained: "Amanda knows what it’s like being the ‘famous’ one in a family, so has really taken Alesha under her wing to make sure she’s alright. Amanda has been amazing and understanding of the situation."
In fact, when Alesha joined the BGT judging panel in 2012, Amanda was determined the pair would be firm friends and said rather matter-of-factly: “I couldn’t bear that everyone was going to try and pit us against each other, as I’m a mother of two girls and love women."
Alesha also said: “From day one, when I joined the show, Amanda and I sat down together and we made a pact that we would have each other’s backs and stick together.
"We have daughters and we want to set a good example. And we’re grown women. In the past, there have been shows where the women are pitted against each other and fortunately, that’s not in our nature.
“We speak all the time, it’s a very natural friendship.”
Alesha - who shares two daughters, Azura Sienna, ten, and four-year-old Anaya Safiya, with Azuka - hasn't been snapped with Azuka in almost six months. Their last picture together was in March and Alesha's been concealing her wedding hand in recent photos.
The couple originally hit it off when Azuka was a backup dancer on one of Alesha's tours, but the Mis-Teeq singer kept him on his toes for about a year before their relationship blossomed. The turning point came when Alesha broke her foot and Azuka slept on the floor to take care of her "I couldn’t walk,” she said at the time, “and he was literally sleeping on the floor looking after me every day.” The singer joked that it was only then that she realised he was “a keeper.”
The pair’s relationship then moved quickly and, just one year after they first met, they welcomed their first child, Azura, with Alesha sharing the happy news on her 35th birthday. Seven years later, in 2019, the couple welcomed their second child, Anaya, and they announced the happy news once again on Alesha's birthday - this time her 41st.
And, according to our source, this may have caused the couple to "drift apart". They explained: "Alesha has become a really big star - more than she could have ever imagined - but when she first met Azuka, he was like her knight in shining armour after a string of bad relationships. Nothing bad has happened between them, they’ve just drifted apart."
Alesha and Azuka's split came as a shock to fans as just earlier this month, the star spoke exclusively to OK! about her job as a judge on Britain's Got Talent and family life with her long-term partner.
She said: “I like to just hang out with my family on down days. I’ll have a nice glass of red wine and watch a good show. Or I like to dance and go out to party, it depends what mood I’m in. But generally, anything that involves music and the people I love most is what I do to take time for myself.”
And taking time for herself is exactly what she's doing as she looks ahead to the future while focusing on work and family, according to our source. They continued: "As Alesha works out her next steps, she’s not only focussing on new projects happening and really throwing herself into work."
It also appeared some much-needed girls time was at the top of Alesha's list, as she headed off to a retreat and shared a selfie with her step mum and sister. Taking to her Instagram story, the former Strictly star wore a plush robe as the trio relaxed at one of Champney's luxury spa locations. She wrote: "Thank you @champneysspas for looking after my step mama so well! She had a lovely birthday."
