Alesha Dixon

One of seven children, Alesha Dixon grew up in Hertfordshire where she planned on becoming a PE teacher after finishing her studies. It was only after a record producer approached her on a train that she considered a career in music, eventually putting her degree on hold to join a dance academy where she met her future bandmate Sabrina Washington. With two more girls, the pair formed UK R&B band Mis-Teeq, releasing their first single, Why?, in 2000, though one of the quartet, Zena McNally, left soon after. A year later the remaining trio launched their debut album Lickin' On Both Sides, followed in 2003 by Eye Candy. In 2005, just prior to the release of their greatest hits, Alesha and the girls announced they were splitting to follow solo projects. The next 12 months proved particularly hard for the star, as she not only parted from her record company but also her husband, So Solid Crew member MC Harvey. But it wasn't long before she came bouncing back, waltzing her way to victory on the fifth series of Strictly Come Dancing. "It's put a smile on my face," the delighted star said of her win. "2007 is great." On the back of her dancing success, Alesha who featured in N*E*R*D's She Wants To Move video after being spotted by Pharrell Williams released her solo album The Alesha Show in November 2008.