'I'm a firm believer in positivity and love

After the birth of her second child, X Factor winner Alexandra Burke reveals she feels blessed with her family of four

- GEMMA MCCARTNEY

This Christmas will be an extra special one for Alexandra Burke - it'll be her first as a mum-of-two.

The 35-year-old welcomed her second child back in September, and when we catch up with The X Factor 2008 winner at Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland, she's enjoying a rare evening off from parenting duties to get into the Christmas spirit. But she does admit that she's not quite as organised for the festivities as usual.

"I'm usually a stickler for planning Christmas ahead of time, but I haven't done it this year - I've been very busy," she laughs.

She certainly has. Alex and her 36-year-old partner, AFC Bournemouth goalkeeper Darren Randolph, welcomed their first child together back in July 2022. Just 14 months later, Alex confirmed the safe arrival of their second baby with a sweet Instagram post of her little one's hands.

"Feeling so blessed," she told her followers. "We are now a family of four. Welcome to the world our little peanut."

Alexandra, who has kept her children's genders, names and faces out of the public eye, tells us that she's "loving" motherhood.