'Alesha's full of nerves', says Strictly's Tess

Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly has revealed how hot favourite Alesha Dixon has been struggling with the pressures of battling for this year's crown.

The former Mis-Teeq singer has wowed the judges each week with her seemingly effortless performances on the dance floor with partner Matthew Cutler.

But, in an interview with The Sun, Tess revealed that it's been far from plain sailing for the star.

"Alesha gets so nervous on dance nights, so much that there have been a few tears between shows."

"I think the tension has really got to her - that and probably exhaustion.

"She and Matt have trained more than anyone else, putting in 38 hours in the week. But you wouldn't have known because she's a total professional."

Tess believes that Alesha will train even harder than Mark Ramprakash, who won last year's show with partner Karen Hardy.

She said: "Alesha has performed outstandingly. She and Matt are matching Mark and Karen last year. I think Alesha and Matt will beat their track record.

"Alesha keeps on breaking records - she's broken the record for scores of ten."

On Saturday night's live final on BBC1, Alesha and Matthew will dance against EastEnders actor Matt Di Angelo and his partner Flavia Cacace.

And Tess believes that the contest could still go either way. She said: "I’m so excited. I think it's all going to come down to the performances on the night, it's not cut and dried."