Alexandra Burke has kept in touch with Beyonce in the years since their duet on The X Factor.

The 37-year-old singer performed the song Listen alongside the pop superstar on the final of UK TV show The X Factor back in 2008 and she went on to win the series which landed her a recording contract and kickstarted her music career - and Alexandra has now revealed they have maintained a friendship over the years.

In an interview with The Times newspaper, Alexandra revealed Beyonce emailed her after The X Factor to say "the show had helped her as much as it helped me" and the Halo star went to visit her new pal at a recording session in Los Angeles to hear her new music while sipping a glass of white wine.

Alexandra added that she always tries to head backstage to see Beyonce whenever she performs in the UK, saying: "Every time I see her, she's always pleasant and a very generous soul."

However, Alexandra still struggles to comprehend the magnitude of performing with Beyonce at the very start of her career, telling the publication: "I still cry to this day because I still can't believe I had that opportunity. It's wild, isn't it?"

She also revealed what Beyonce said to her backstage before they sang together on live TV, revealing the pop superstar was determined to make sure Alexandra won the show.

She shared: "[Beyonce said: 'I didn't fly all this way to sing with someone who's going to lose tonight. So you have to win'."

Alexandra's latest career movie is playing Chaka Khan in a new West End stage ­production called I'm Every Woman: The Musical, which will run at the ­Peacock Theatre in London from March 5 to 28.

She told The Sun newspaper: "Almost 17 years ago, with my late mother by my side, I sang Chaka for my very first non-televised audition for The X Factor. "To think I would be given the opportunity to play Chaka Khan in the West End would have been unimaginable back then.

"Thank you, Mama, for your love and guidance. I'll be looking up at you at every show. This is a dream role for me. I'm still pinching myself.

"We love I'm Every Woman, Ain't Nobody and I Feel For You, but I encourage you to dive deep into her incredible solo catalogue and tracks with RUFUS - it's timeless, just like the legend herself."