Being a mum has made me want to work harder'

Singer and musical theatre star Alexandra Burke chats about experiencing her perfect proposal, her career ambitions and the inspirational advice from her mother that she carries with her

-  BEX MAY

It seems like everything has fallen into place for singer and actress Alexandra Burke. She can’t stop smiling as she chats about her career – which she is clearly so passionate about, the craziness of parenting two young children and her “gorgeous” engagement to goalkeeper Darren Randolph. Her love of performing, she tells OK!, is something she hopes to pass on to her kids. She and Darren, who got together in 2021, try to keep their children out of the limelight and they haven’t publicly shared their names or gender.

Of her busy family life, she says, “It’s chaos at times, but you need to embrace the chaos. There are ups and downs and daily challenges, but it’s so rewarding.”

The 36-year-old recalls the advice her own mother, the late soul singer Melissa Bell, would always give her growing up; “No dream is ever too big.” They are the words she lives by and now she’s passing them on to her children.

So, would Alexandra be open to her kids following in her footsteps in the showbiz world? “Whatever they do, I will be fully supportive of their decisions,” she says. “One day they can watch Paw Patrol and want to be a police officer and the next day they watch Fireman Sam and want to be a firefighter. And that’s OK.”

She says she’s keen to have more children, when the time is right. “I desperately want more – I would have more tomorrow,” she says, laughing.

“We’d love to, but right now we’re really enjoying our two babies. We’re really happy with how life has given us these blessings. The greatest achievement of my life is being a mum. Motherhood has changed me. I look at kids and just cry. Out of myself and Darren, I’m the one who gives in first with the kids, whereas Darren’s more stern. We’ve got a lovely balance.”