Alexandra Burke's mother has reportedly claimed that The X Factor winner's success is all down to her.
Melissa Bell, whose pop career flopped after she quit Soul II Soul in 1997, claimed that Burke, 21, would never have won the ITV1 singing contest without her help. She added that her daughter would be "dropped like a stone" by Simon Cowell if she put on weight.
"To be honest, I'm a better singer than she is. But she is thinner than me - maybe too thin. I was 18st in my heyday. But it's all about image these days, more than talent," she said.
Burke's mum added that her daughter, who releases her new single 'All Night Long' on May 17, hasn't given her any money since finding fame.
"She's rich but we're poor. She hasn't given me a penny and I'm too proud to ask. But considering her win was a team effort, I certainly deserve some," she said.
Bell, who kicked Burke out of her home at the age of 16, claimed that she was a better songwriter than the star andcomplained that although her daughter buys her weekly groceries, she has them delivered because she is too busy to bring them herself.
As well as advising Burke on her fashion choices, Bell said that she has given her valuable insights into the music industry.
"I've told her always to be nice to people on the way up because you'll see them again on the way down," she said. "I still give Alex advice. She's lucky to have a mum like me."
Bell made the claims in her new autobiography Heart and Soul, extracts of which are published in the Sunday Mirror.
I've heard interviews with her mum before and she seems really bitter that she was never successful. I think she's jealous of Alexandra. She's not even thankful that Alexandra buys all of her food!
Maybe she doesn't give you money because you kicked her out when she was still in highschool?
Sit down and collect your British version of a welfare check.
I don't know what to say Judging from the interview, I don't think her mum has been nice to her. So sad. No wonder she's so strong, she's been living a tougher life than wht i thought.
:O ****ing bitch, she owes her nothing, alex's voices is 10x better, and she wonders why she doesent take her shopping round to her personnaly, she probably doesent wanna see you??
And i don't think the reason alex is thin is beause she's scared off getting dropped, she probs just doesent wanna be fat?
Why would you say this about your daughter?!!! + she had nothing to do with her career, I dno if she remembers but she won X Factor, nothin to do with her!! Arghhh
“Alex owes it all to me, She would never have won The X Factor if it hadn’t been for me my experience, my tuition, my guidance.
Quote:
“Let’s face it, if Alex ever got fat Simon Cowell would drop her like a stone.”
Quote:
“I’m not jealous. I’m a fantastic song- writer but Alex hasn’t written one yet. And I’ve told her that her fame could all end next week. It’s such a fickle business. I had one of the best voices in the world but made just £200 a night.”
Alex is a strong, independent woman who doesn't need to help a mom that kicked her out of the house prematurely & is quite frankly jealous of her own daughter's success
I think Alex also realizes that money would only make this woman even more wicked
"To be honest, I'm a better singer than she is. But she is thinner than me - maybe too thin. I was 18st in my heyday. But it's all about image these days, more than talent," she said.
I've heard interviews with her mum before and she seems really bitter that she was never successful. I think she's jealous of Alexandra. She's not even thankful that Alexandra buys all of her food! 
