Alesha Dixon 'loving' BGT role (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Alesha Dixon 'loving' BGT role

12:17am Tuesday 20th March 2012 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

Alesha Dixon is like "a different person" since leaving Strictly Come Dancing, according to her fellow Britain's Got Talent judge Simon Cowell.

Cowell said the star, who quit the BBC One ballroom show earlier this year, was "loving" her new role.

He said: "Alesha's like a different person, she's like a canary out of a cage, she's loving it. She loves judging all of the singers and all of the dance crews; she's got a real infectious sense of humour."

Cowell also said he was impressed by the other new judge, David Walliams, who he described as "totally and utterly bonkers".

He said: "I like him because he likes people."

Alesha, who rose to fame as a member of girl group Mis-Teeq, won Strictly Come Dancing in 2007 before replacing Arlene Phillips on the judging panel.

She said working on the ITV1 talent show had been "a great experience so far".

She said: "It's been really nice as coming from Strictly, which is a little bit more reserved, you can definitely be a bit more crazy on this show. I've been out of my seat dancing and I've laughed a lot so that's always a good thing."

The show's co-host Ant McPartlin said he had been "slightly surprised" by how "harsh" Alesha could be.

He said: "She knows her stuff, especially with the dance acts. She gets very technical with them. She's also very honest, doesn't dress things up and isn't afraid to push that buzzer."