2011 Week 4: Alexandra Burke to replace Kelly Rowland on The X Factor

We don’t know how much preparation time she would have had, but ITV has announced that former X Factor winner Alexandra Burke will return to the show tonight as a judge.

Burke will be standing in for Kelly Rowland on tonight’s panel in this evening’s Halloween special.

Kelly Rowland flew to the states earlier this week, but became ill on her visit. She will therefore not be appearing on this weekend’s live shows, having been advised by doctors in the states not to fly after suffering from a throat infection.

Alexandra Burke won the competition back in 2008, mentored by former judge Cheryl Cole, and has gone on to sell millions of records across Europe. Her new single is expected to receive its first air play next month.