The X Factor diva had another bust-up with the ballroom professional after they were plunged into the dance-off at the weekend.

Although they survived at the expense of EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami, 35, and partner Nadiya Bychkova, 28, insiders say her public meltdowns are a clear sign of her desperation.

An onlooker in the studio audience revealed: “There was obvious tension between Alex and Gorka as soon as they got ready for the dance-off.

“As he gave her a few words of wisdom on how to improve for it, she straight away went in on him.

“She couldn’t stop bickering with him, saying things like, ‘I’m not having that’ and ordering him about.

"Gorka was taken aback with it all and was sighing and rolling his eyes.”

Filming for the pre-recorded dance-off was delayed as Alexandra, 29, started to sob. It was the second time in as many weeks she had finished in the bottom two.

The 2008 X Factor winner was the bookies’ pre-series favourite to win the dance contest – but has been shunted in favour of Debbie McGee, who at 59 would be the oldest winner in Strictly’s history. 

Alexandra’s crisis has added spice to this weekend’s semi-final when she will go head-to-head with rival Gemma Atkinson.

She has been worried Gorka, 27, has taken his eye off the glitter ball by forging a close friendship with the ex-glamour model and is said to have had “full-blown screaming matches” with the Spaniard.

Before the series, Gemma, 33, told the Daily Express she hoped the so-called Strictly curse of affairs and broken relationships would strike her because she was fed up being single.

She said: “I’ve been single for ages so there won’t be any curse for me...it would be a blessing.”

And the Emmerdale actress, whose partner on the show is Slovenian hunk Aljaz Skorjanec, 27, is reported to have found love.

Despite publicly saying she is not spoken for, a show source revealed: “Gorka and Gemma are together. It’s the talk of the makeup room.”

Bookmakers predict time is running out for Alexandra, offering odds of 33/1 producers assign her a new partner before Saturday and 8/1 she fails to show up.

William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said: “Almost overnight Alexandra has gone from favourite to 7/1 outsider.

"We don’t think she can win any more and we believe there is a chance she will cut her losses and do a runner.” 

Meanwhile, the curse of Strictly appears to have struck again after professional dancer Karen Clifton was spotted out with a new man.

The Venezuelan choreographer married fellow dancer Kevin, 35, two years ago and the couple are firm favourites with viewers.

But at the weekend Karen, also 35, was spotted with 27-year-old accountant Stuart Wood in London’s trendy Primrose Hill.

An onlooker said: “She and her new bloke didn’t seem to be hiding anything. They were out with friends and looked happy.

“They didn’t seem worried at all about the controversy of being seen together.”

A Strictly source added: “The understanding is they’ve sadly decided to split.”

Kevin, from Grimsby, joined the show in 2013 and finished runner-up in four consecutive years alongside Susanna Reid, 46, Frankie Bridge, 28, Kellie Bright, 41, and Louise Redknapp, 43.

This year he partnered Susan Calman, 43.

Good Morning Britain host Susanna’s relationship with Dominic Cotton, father of their three children, crumbled during her time on the show.

Mother-of-two Louise has reportedly filed for divorce after a 19-year marriage to former footballer Jamie.

● Strictly Come Dancing is on Saturday, BBC One, at 6.45pm.