ALESHA Dixon reconciled with her partner of 12-years Azuka Ononye back in April after a “really rocky patch” left their relationship on the brink.
But insiders claim the Britain’s Got Talent judge’s romance has hit another rough patch - and it all boils down to one big question.
Those close to Azuka say the choreographer, who has two daughters with Alesha, is struggling to come to terms with Alesha’s refusal to marry him - despite him asking multiple times.
In recent weeks, pals tell me, the issue has become a recurring argument between them - with Azuka unable to convince Alesha that marriage is the way forward for them.
Alesha, 46, was previously married to rapper MC Harvey but their year-long union ended in heartbreak after his affair with singer Javine Hilton.
A friend said: “Azuka wants Alesha to be his wife and thinks marriage is the way forward for them after everything that has happened over the past six months.
“He has proposed but to no avail.
“It’s becoming an argument that keeps coming up between them and Azuka is finding it hard to move past it.
“He is a proud man and wants Alesha to be his wife. His parents have said the same and think marriage is the way forward. They’ve applied some pressure too, which has led to rows between Alesha and Azuka.
“It’s been a difficult six months but this feels like another bump in the road they can’t get past.”
Over a decade ago, Alesha revealed that Azuka had proposed to her multiple times but joked he wasn’t serious.
Speaking about their relationship on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories programme, she said: “He’s asked me about five times but I won’t take him seriously.
“He asks me when he’s jokey and I won’t take him seriously until he does it properly.”
Those close to Azuka say he has since proposed properly but that Alesha has stonewalled his attempts.
“Azuka says he can’t work out why Alesha won’t marry him,” the friend said.
“He thinks this could be the making of them and something that would help them properly move past everything that has happened.
“It’s become a bit of a stalemate again. He’s leaning on his friends for support but it’s difficult for him.”
Alesha previously called Azuka her “best friend” and said she had found the love of her life in the dancer.
But then in November last year, those close to Alesha said she had confided in them that their relationship had run its course.
STAR'S BREAK-UP
This March Alesha confirmed the pair had split but said they were living together for the sake of their children.
A month later, those close to the couple confirmed they were giving their romance another try.
A close source said: “They went through a really rocky patch and decided to call it a day. It had been difficult for a long time and Alesha just couldn’t see a way forward.
“AZ even moved out to a hotel for a while, despite the fact they were co-parenting.
“But there is still a huge amount of feeling between them. They’ve been together for 12 years and have two beautiful children.
“So they have decided to give it one last try.
"They both desperately want to be a family again and are going to do all it takes to make it work.”
WEDDING CONFLICT
At the time, those close to Alesha admitted they “weren’t convinced” their relationship would last.
And now Azuka’s friends say they feel the same - with the talk of weddings driving a wedge between them.
One added: “Without a wedding on the horizon, Azuka doesn’t know what to do.
“He wants Alesha to be his wife but she isn’t budging.
“It’s another hurdle they’ve come up against and it seems there isn’t a way they can move past it.”
