Alesha 'proved herself' as Strictly judge

The singer was unveiled as a Strictly Come Dancing judge in July

Strictly Come Dancing's Alesha Dixon has admitted she's relieved at having "proved herself" as a judge on the show.

The singer was on the receiving end of more than 4,000 complaints when she started on the show in July.

Most were unhappy about the BBC's decision to replace Arlene Phillips, while others criticised Dixon's first appearance, saying she didn't have enough experience to be a judge.

Dixon, 31, admitted she was happy the controversy had died down and that viewers now seemed to accept her.

"I think with anything in life you have to prove yourself worthy of a position," she said.

"I always knew at the beginning that it would never be an easy ride and I knew that I had to show strength and rise above the negativity. Hopefully I've done that."

The singer, who won the show in 2007 with dance partner Matthew Cutler, said she felt reasonably confident she'd be back for the next series.

"I'm loving it now and I'm genuinely going to be quite sad when the series is over," she admitted.

"I'd absolutely love to do Strictly next year. The BBC has been pleased with my performance so hopefully they'll have me back."

Whittle arrest

The seventh series of the show has been one of the most eventful of recent years.

Several contestants have picked up injuries, a romance blossomed between Joe Calzaghe and his dance partner and last week actor Ricky Whittle was arrested on suspicion of attacking a photographer.

Whittle and partner Natalie Lowe were in the bottom two couples last week

However, Dixon said she didn't think Whittle's arrest was the reason for his appearance in the bottom two last week.

She added: "It's interesting that I started out as the most controversial part of the show and that's actually in the background now.

"Injuries and all sorts have taken over, so it has been eventful but that's life."

Despite her high profile appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, Dixon said the highlight of 2009 had been her "exhilarating" debut solo tour.

The Boy Does Nothing singer said she was planning to stay busy with her pop career in the new year and was heading into the studio in January to record her second album.

"I'm very blessed to do what I do", she admitted. "So the busier the better as far as I'm concerned. I'll rest when I'm older!"