Strictly star Fleur East was 'put on the shelf' after being sacked by Simon Cowell

dailystar.co.uk:

Fleur East has been performing for her late father on Strictly Come Dancing following his death during lockdown - but is still reeling after being sacked by Simon Cowell's record label.

When Fleur, 34, revealed that she would be taking part in Strictly on her radio show, she reportedly said: "I'm equally nervous and thrilled to be part of this year's Strictly line up."I'm excited to learn new skills and I want to soak up every moment of this magical experience.

It's such an honour to be on the show after years of watching it with my father who loved it so much.READ MORE: Fleur East shows off toned figure in tiny bra and thigh boots ahead of Strictly debut"Unfortunately my dad is no longer with us but I know he will be watching over the ballroom in spirit.

I'm doing this to make him and my family proud and can't wait to get my dancing shoes on!"But X Factor star Fleur was sacked by Simon Cowell's record label, Syco, despite her first single Sax, and debut album Love, Sax and Flashbacks doing well.But she claimed Syco bosses "put her on the shelf" and was dropped in 2017 - three years in the wake of her X Factor success - after demanding to know where she stood.The star, who appeared on I'm A Celebrity in 2018, told The Sun: "If I'm honest being on such a major label and then having to change direction put everything into perspective and made me not take anything for granted."When you get thrown into fame there's a lot of weight on your shoulders," adding: "It made me critical of myself and you start to feel the pressure to be something you're not and start comparing yourself to others because you think you've got to beat that person."For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign.