The Rise and Rise of Alesha

Singer Alesha Dixon will replace Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips when the show returns this autumn, the BBC has confirmed. The 66-year-old choreographer has been axed.

It's proof, if proof were needed, that Alesha Anjanette Dixon's star is on the ascendency. Born October 7, 1978 in Hertfordshire, she first found fame in R&B trio Mis-Teeq. The group was formed in 1999, going on to enjoy seven consecutive UK Top 10 singles, including All I Want, One Night Stand and B With Me.

Mis-Teeq disbanded in 2005 and later that year, after a five-year relationship, Alesha married MC Harvey - formerly of So Solid Crew. On the professional front, she signed a solo deal with Polydor Records and spent a year writing and recording Fired Up, her solo debut album. However, the singles released failed to crack the Top 10 and she parted company with her record label. A traumatic period for Alesha Dixon was capped when her marriage hit the rocks. MC Harvey was having an affair with Javine Hylton, who had represented the UK at 2005's Eurovision Song Contest; the couple separated.

Alesha's decision to take part in 2007's Strictly Come Dancing effectively changed her life. Partnered with professional dancer Matthew Cutler, she soon became a firm favourite with the public thanks to her vivacious personality and flawless dancing. In the final, she beat ex EastEnders actor Matt Di Angelo to the title of Strictly Come Dancing champion. After winning, her profile soared.

She made a documentary about beauty for BBC Three and signed a new record deal with Asylum Records. The Boy Does Nothing, the first single taken from album The Alesha Show, became her first solo Top 10 hit on the UK Singles Chart. Alesha's Strictly win, which had made her an instantly recognisable face, led to lucrative contracts and endorsements; she promoted the new Ford Focus, fronted a campaign for the Department of Health promoting safe sex and condom use, became the face of a new Veet campaign, collaborated with clothing label Dune and fronted a new campaign for Toblerone chocolate.

A supporter for various causes - from ACLT (African-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust) to Help A London Child - Alesha climbed Mt Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief earlier this year. Joining her on the climb were Girls Aloud members Cheryl Cole and Kimberley Walsh, Ben Shephard, Gary Barlow, Ronan Keating, Fearne Cotton, Denise Van Outen, and Chris Moyles. Together they raised over £1,000,000 towards helping combat malaria in Tanzania. With her new role on the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel, the possibilities for Alesha Dixon are endless. In our gallery, we take a look at her life in the media spotlight.

• Arlene's out, Alesha's in. Good decision? Have your say