Alesha Dixon has blasted a tabloid story claiming Simon Cowell’s girlfriend Lauren Silverman confronted her backstage at Britain’s Got Talent.

The former Mis-teeq star, who is on the BGT judging panel alongside Simon, insisted Lauren had been “nothing but gracious” to her and her family.

Alesha branded the story, published in The Sun, “negative” and “toxic” and referenced the treatment Caroline Flack was subjected to by certain sections of the press before her death in February.

“First class journalism at its best again!” Alesha tweeted.

“Don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story! How long can they keep getting away with this negative, toxic behaviour! Lauren has been nothing but gracious to my family! Have you learnt nothing from Caroline’s passing! #bekind”

As well as her role on Britain’s Got Talent, Alesha recently landed a spot on the panel for America’s Got Talent: The Champions, and has admitted she would love to work more in the US once travel restrictions have been lifted.

She said: “The world is on lockdown but I can’t wait for it to be over so I can hopefully go back out to America and see what other opportunities there are out there for me.”

As well as her TV work, Alesha is also back in the studio working on new music.

Last month she confirmed she was working on her fourth solo album, the follow up to 2015’s Do It For Love.

“I was in the middle of writing some great, really authentic songs, really honest,” she told Bizarre.

“Some of them were actually inspired by this whole craziness that’s been going on in the world.

“I’m ready for the next record. I really want to make a heartfelt, honest record that really has something to say. I’m excited to get back, so fingers crossed.”

She added: “I was in the studio writing and then Boris Johnson said lockdown and the session had to stop.

“I got a text the other day from the producer asking if I felt ready to go back in the studio.

“I am definitely ready, I’m just making sure that we can and it’s allowed and it’s all safe.”