Mother Of X Factor Contender Ill

The UK's X Factor semi-finalist Alexandra Burke has been secretly worried about her mother, Melissa Bell, who for the first time has talked about her fight with kidney disease.

The 44-year-old former lead singer of Soul II Soul has been desperately standing by for kidney and pancreas donors.

"I don't have any kidneys at all right now," Bell said. "I get really tired."

The 20-year-old Alexandra managed to get to the semi-finals on X Factor and is expected to win, despite her constant concern for her mother. Bell has said that watching her daughter succeeding has given her strength.

"Alex doing so well is the perfect tonic for me."