Britain’s Got Talent star Alesha Dixon said today she would be ‘gutted’ if she was unable to return as a judge on the hit show next year.
Doubts were cast over the 34-year-old’s comeback last month after she revealed she was expecting her first child with dancer boyfriend Azuka Ononye, 32, in December – a month before auditions begin.
But Alesha, 34 – who judges legions of hopeful acts alongside Simon Cowell, David Walliams and Amanda Holden on the hit ITV show – said the tight-knit panel had great chemistry and were keen to be reunited for BGT’s next run.
And the former Mis-Teeq singer added that she couldn’t think of anyone she would want to replace her if she did not return.
She said: “I’m happy with my fellow judges, I don’t think I’d want anyone to replace them.
“Simon said he wanted the panel back, so all being well I hope to be there in January.
“I don’t know what’s happening for definite yet – Simon hops on a plane to America as soon as Britain’s Got Talent finishes.
“But I’d be sad if they broke us all up, there’s a natural chemistry between us and we have a great laugh.
“It’s like being back at school with all the banter between us – you end up with a ‘boys versus girls’ situation with me and Amanda against Simon and David.”
Alesha also tipped teenage comedian Jack Carroll – who was just pipped to the 2013 BGT title by silhouette dance act Attraction – for a successful career.
She said: “He is a little star, what an amazing position to be in at such a young age.
“I actually thought he might just do it and win at one point but Attraction won the public over completely.
“It doesn’t matter where they’re from – the public wanted something fresh and they gave it to them.”
Alesha was speaking on the day of the UK’s first commercial Boeing 787 flight, as she tried her hand at being an air hostess.
Wearing a blue dress and matching heels, her baby bump just visible, she helped the vessel’s cabin crew with their duties – including check-ins and meet-and-greets.
And the mum-to-be said she would least like to sit next to HERSELF on a long-haul flight.
She said: “I wouldn’t want to be stuck next to myself because I talk too much and have quite a loud voice – I think I’d probably annoy myself.
“I’d find me quite irritating, I think, especially if it was a long flight.
“I wouldn’t mind being stuck next to Simon Cowell at all, though, he’s got loads of great stories.
“But it’s all private jets for him so I doubt you’d find yourself sat next to him on a commercial plane.”
Alesha – who issued a plea for privacy after announcing her pregnancy – remained tight-lipped on the issue other than to admit she was ‘delighted’.
She said: “I’m delighted and really looking forward to the baby’s arrival. In the meanwhile I’m still working hard and very excited to be here today.”
She posed for pictures with Thomson Airways staff ahead of the ‘Dreamliner’ 787’s maiden trip from Manchester to Florida.
The 291-seater plane became the first of its kind to fly under a UK airline’s banner, with seven more to join the firm’s fleet by 2015.
