X Factor legend reveals one thing stopping music comeback 10 years later-Josie Copson-Entertainment – Metro

Fleur East has revealed what is holding her back from releasing more music (Picture: Nils Jorgensen/REX/Shutterstock)

10 years ago, Fleur East changed lives (particularly her own) when she belted out Uptown Funk on The X Factor – a song that hadn’t yet been released by Mark Ronson.

Her rendition was so captivating that Mark felt forced to rush the release of said track with Bruno Mars’ vocals earlier than he planned.

After finishing runner-up to Ben Haenow in the ITV show, Fleur released Sax, which reached number three in the UK charts, and it seemed she was destined to be known first as a musician.

However, Fleur decided to pursue other avenues, letting the public get to know her on reality shows I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here and Strictly Come Dancing. With many viewers loving her personality just as much as her vocal range, Fleur become a presenter. This has meant music has been given less attention – her last album, Fearless, came out nearly five years ago.

Although, Fleur, 37, describes music as her ‘first and number one love’ so naturally we wonder if she could one day return. We all know how much those first loves never leave us after all.

Asked what is stopping her from bringing out new music, her answer is simple – time. ‘I’m spinning so many plates, and to really dedicate myself to music, I would have to take some time out to get in the studio and focus on it.’ So for now, Fleur feels fulfilled occasionally performing gigs, which is all she has capacity for right now as her mornings are spent busying herself on Hits Radio UK, and during the evenings she’s presenting the sparkly Strictly spin-off It Takes Two.

Fleur and Janette Manrara present It Takes Two (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

The latter role she took on after Rylan, 36, decided to step away after four years. His absence left Fleur with some pretty big shoes to fill (literally and figuratively), and so she naturally felt the pressure.

Taking her under his wing, Rylan offered Fleur some sage advice which she’s been wholeheartedly following since joining in 2023, and we probably all should adopt* – be unashamedly herself.

*Don’t adopt it if yourself is super evil.

Fleur was given solid advice from Rylan (Picture: National Lottery)

‘Be yourself. Don’t try to be anything else. Just relax,’ he told Fleur. After shaking off the initial nerves, she is enjoying the process of being the provider of all the behind-the-scenes gossip from the BBC juggernaut.

Her experience of being on the dance floor with Vito Coppola, 32, has given her the added advantage of being able to relate with the celebrities who appear on her couch. In 2022, the pair made it all the way to the final, after surviving four dance-offs. Fleur’s standing was particularly shocking as she was usually near the top of the leaderboard, but the dance-off assasin is winning now.

Fleur understands what the contestants are going through (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)

Something Fleur knows well is that with millions of viewers tuning in every week, the Strictly fandom can get pretty passionate about their beloved show. Recently, head judge Shirley Ballas felt compelled to defend her decisions after being harshly critiqued.

Fleur shares a reminder that the series is, at the end of the day, just meant to be something joyous to tune into on a Saturday night (and then analyse all week).

‘It’s a dance show. It’s fun, it’s entertainment. I think sometimes people forget that,’ she began.

‘The contestants already are under such intense pressure with a limited time to learn routines, and then to read comments or to hear people being negative, that’s just something that you don’t really want as well.’

Fleur thinks her experience as a contestant could help her as a judge (Picture: Palace Lee/REX/Shutterstock)

Being so empathetic, and having ticked off singer, reality star, and presenter, we wonder if judge could be next. Fleur isn’t mad about the idea. ‘I feel like I don’t have the Latin and ballroom potential to do Strictly, but a singing competition I’d love to do that. To be a judge on a show when I’ve been through a similar process myself would be cool.’ She’s also not ruling out a return to I’m A Celebrity if there was a second series of All Stars, but perhaps, draws the line at The Masked Singer.

‘I think my voice would be too obvious. Although even my own family mistake me for other people. They thought I was the flower [Kelis] one year,’ she shared with a laugh.

The truth is after becoming a mother Fleur is more open to work than ever before. When Nova was born in March – her first child with fashion designer husband Marcel Badiane-Robin – Fleur found herself becoming more motivated than ever before.

Fleur feels more motivated than other (Picture: Instagram/fleureast)

‘When you’ve got a career in the entertainment industry and become a mum, some people are like you’re gonna be out of the business, and you’re gonna have to start again when you return. That gives me more motivation,’ Fleur, who also founded beauty brand Kurl Kitchen with her sister Keshia, explained.

‘I’m someone’s support. I’m providing for her. My work ethic is even more focused. I’ve been working even more.

Fleur is excited about the gig (Picture: National Lottery)

‘When I used to see a working mum I’d say “well done” but it had no real meaning behind it as I didn’t understand. Now I know the juggle.’

With that viewpoint, Fleur naturally said yes when asked to co-host The National Lottery’s Big Bash with Vernon Kay. The evening includes Craig David presents TS5, Perrie, KSI, Blossoms, Olly Alexander and an exclusive performance from Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo. They will also honour remarkable people, causes, and moments that have united us all in 2024. 

‘I am super honoured to have be asked to do it. I’m really excited about the evening, it’s going to be fun,’ she promised.

‘I was in the audience last year, loved it and now I get to host it.’

Fleur East is presenting The National Lottery’s Big Bash alongside Vernon Kay. Free tickets to attend the show stopping music and entertainment event at OVO Arena, Wembley will be available from 10am on 26th November at bigbash2024.com

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