New Strictly 'frontrunner' Alexandra Burke puts on a brave face as she joins leaderboard favourite Aston Merrygold for training... following the death of her mother

Published: 17:11 GMT, 25 September 2017 | Updated: 18:52 GMT, 25 September 2017

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She wowed audiences and judges alike in an emotional waltz on Saturday, with head judge Shirley Ballas identifying her as a 'frontrunner'.

And beaming popstar Alexandra Burke looked raring for another week, as she returned to Strictly training on Monday morning.

The singer, 29, put on a brave face as she arrived at rehearsals along with fellow contestant and JLS star Aston Merrygold.

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Motivated Monday: Singer Alexandra Burke, 29, wore a smile on her face as she arrived at Strictly rehearsals on Monday

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Alexandra Burke looked all smiles after a successful Strictly Come Dancing training session. Stepping out in some comfy looking sportswear, the singer who has impressed viewers was seen sporting the famous Adidas Yeezy trainers, which have been seen on the like of the Kardashian-Jenner clan amongst other high profile celebrities.

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Alexandra looked comfy in a hoodie and sports gear as she arrived at the London studio for practice with her partner Gorka Márquez.

Finishing the look with a cosy slogan hat, Alexandra looked ready to go as she entered training for Week 2 of the dance competition series.

This came after an emotional Saturday for Alexandra, as she broke down during an emotional dance in tribute to her late mother Melissa, who passed away in August.

Speaking during rehearsals, Alexandra said: 'This is a song that my mum always made me sing, it's just making me nervous because I'm so emotional about it'.

Casual: Alexandra looked rearing to go in casual workout gear, keep warm with a slogan hat

Emotional: Alexandra Burke broke down in tears on Saturday night after performing an emotional waltz to her late mother's favourite song

Triumph: Alexandra wowed the judges with an emotional waltz on Saturday, with head judge Shirley Ballas dubbing her a 'frontrunner'

Motivated: Alexandra revealed she wanted to make her late mother proud, after she tragically passed away in August

Strictly amazing: Alexandra has been dubbed one of the contestants to watch after her debut dance scored her 24 points

Dancing an elegant waltz to Aretha Franklin's Natural Woman, her mother's favourite song, she wowed the judges, but struggled to keep it together as she finished the routine.

Head judge Shirley Ballas praised her routine saying: 'I can see that this dance meant something to you, I got carried away with the emotion.

'You're a feeler. You are probably going to be front-runner after what I've just seen.'

Tragic: Speaking during rehearsals, she said: 'This is a song that my mum always made me sing, it's just making me nervous because I'm so emotional about it'

Alexandra joined fellow Strictly contestant and former JLS star Aston Merrygold for practice.

Aston looked similarly casual in a comfy jumper and jeans, keeping a low profile with a baseball cap as he entered rehearsals.

The boyband heart-throb looked confident after a triumphant performance in Saturday's live launch show.

Aston performed a sprightly foxtrot to Harry Connick Jnr's It Had To Be You to close the show with partner Janette Manrara, and received the highest score of the night, topping the leaderboard with 31 points.

Judge Darcy Bussell praised the performance, dubbing Aston the 'one to watch'.

The singer went into the series as the bookies favourite, and is so far delivering on his dance promise.

Contender: Alexandra was joined by fellow Strictly contestant and former JLS star Aston Merrygold, 29, as he arrived for training

Top-scorer: Aston closed Saturday's show with a fantastic debut - a peppy foxtrot to Harry Connick Jnr It Had to be You

Low profile: Aston looked comfy in a simple jumper and jeans combo as he entered rehearsals. He has been dubbed the bookies favourite after topping the leaderboard on Saturday

Waltz to the top: Aston looked ready to go ahead of his practice for the next dance to be performed on Saturday

'One to watch': Aston looked confident as he headed to practice to partner Janette Manrara

Amazing: Partnered with Janette, Aston proved the one to beat, topping the leaderboard with 31 points

Some of the Strictly pros were also spotted heading into the studio, including Gorka Marquez, Janette Manrara and new professional Nadiya Bychkova, who has been partnered with EastEnders hunk Davood Ghadami.

Davood delivered a steamy performance with partner Nadiya, as the pair performed a racy cha-cha-cha that got the judges hot under the collar.

The actor delivered a solid debut, scoring a 27 from the judges, with this week's scores carried over Saturday's show when all the couples will perform a new dance.

They will be looking to impress, as the first couple will be eliminated in Sunday's results show.

Pros in the building: Spanish pro Gorka Marquez was also spotted arriving at rehearsals. He has been partnered with Alexandra for Strictly's 15th series

Steamy: New pro Nadiya Bychkova has been partnered with Eastenders hunk Davood Ghadami. The pair got judges hot under the collar with a steamy cha-cha-cha on Saturday