Quotes from Alesha Dixon

I love the fact that I can live a spontaneous lifestyle.

I idolised former sprint and hurdling champion Colin Jackson.

Life's easier and nicer when you let go of the past and look to the future.

I was the only mixed-race girl in my school, but for me, that was a positive thing; it made me unique. If it wasn't for spending time with the black side of my family, perhaps I may have felt like an outcast, but I never did.

I exercise to stay strong, healthy, and stage-ready. I never prepare for a red carpet - I just go with the flow.

As much as I love beach holidays, I do really like to get out and about and explore. It's why I like Los Angeles: because I can easily drive to Malibu or Santa Monica to see what they have to offer. I get itchy feet if I stay still too long in one place when I'm abroad.

One day, I would like to have my own chat show. Oprah is my idol because she uses her platform so responsibly.

Not strict, no - but I've always been very conscious about just being healthy and taking care of myself.

We always have a really bad dancer on 'Strictly,' like Kate Garraway or Fiona Phillips, and that's great, and we love it, but when it comes to the quarters and semis, you want the best dancers left in.

When I joined the 'Strictly Come Dancing' panel in 2009, the controller of the BBC came into my dressing room and said they were proud to have a woman of colour on their panel. It was so nice that they acknowledged it.

I'm the most organised person in the world. Apparently, I'm just like Monica from 'Friends' because I am hyper, hyper organised. It's probably bordering on OCD.

Even though it's called Music Of Black Origin, it's not just music for black people. Music is for everybody. I think it's good that black music is acknowledged, and it's open for lots of artists, including white artists who have been inspired by black musical heritage.

Before I got into music, I studied sport and used to run for my county.

When women listen to my music, I want them to feel empowered.

My friends say that at school I was quite bossy. I still am a bit bossy, but a nice bossy. I've always been very strong-minded, even as a little girl. But I'm a great friend, and I've never been in a fight in my life. I think it's nice to be nice, especially because I've never been scared to stick up for myself. I'm not a shrinking violet.