Alexandra Burke sent fans wild on the red carpet at The Sun’s Military Awards 2020 at London‘s Banqueting House on Thursday night.
The X-Factor winner, 31, slipped her toned frame into a black and plum ballgown with lace accents at the venue.
The Hallelujah singer kept her luscious black locks tied neatly back in a pearl hair clip, framing her glowing facial features.
Stunning: Alexandra Burke sent fans wild on the red carpet at The Sun’s Military Awards 2020 at London’s Banqueting House on Thursday night
Friends: When fellow X Factor alumni Liam arrived, the pair looked delighted as they stopped for a quick chat on the red carpet.
She accessorised elegantly with studded silver rings and dangle earrings.
And when fellow X Factor alumni Liam arrived, the pair looked delighted as they stopped for a quick chat on the red carpet.
Liam looked dapper in a midnight blue dinner jacket and matching shirt and tie.
They both appeared in the 2008 series, which Alexandra won, but Liam was eliminated during the judge’s houses, before returning to form One Direction two years later.
Good to see you: Alexandra and Liam gave each other a friendly peck on the cheek as they chatted
Alexandra told the Sun at the event: ‘We can’t thank the Forces enough for what they do. We need to give back to these amazing people – they deserve to be celebrated for their actions.’
The event was first created by the Prince of Wales, and honours those involved in the British Armed forces at home and abroad.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Denise Van Outen, Scarlett Moffat, Joey Essex and Strictly Come Dancing star Shirley Ballas were also on the guest list.
Stylish: Alexandra Burke slipped her toned frame into a black lace and plum lace ballgown
Speaking at the event, Liam said thinking about his two-year-old son Bear, who he has with ex-partner Cheryl, ‘really brings home’ the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces.
On the red carpet, Payne said he ‘couldn’t imagine’ being in their position.
The One Direction singer said it was ‘important’ for people to make their own choices about joining the Armed Forces.
Smart look: Liam looked dapper in a midnight blue dinner jacket and matching shirt and tie
‘It’s obviously a huge risk and things are taken, we sorely need it in so many different ways, but at the same time, it’s a tough one.
‘I mean, I don’t know how I’d feel about my son joining the military.
‘I’d support him whatever but at the same time, it really brings it home for me when I think about my son and the sacrifice some of these families are making with their loved ones.
‘It’s an amazing thing for them to do.’
Good to see you: Alexandra happily greeted John Barrowman as the pair united on the red carpet
He continued: ‘I just think so many more things these days mean different things now that you have a responsibility and a child.
‘It’s a different thing and I couldn’t imagine putting myself in their shoes, so a lot of respect for them.’
Singers Payne and Cheryl got together in 2016 and became parents a year later, but split in 2018.
Hugs: The theatre stars looked delighted as they chatted on the red carpet before enjoying a warm hug
Ahead of the event at Banqueting House in Westminster on Thursday, Payne hailed servicemen and women for having ‘the most interesting stories’.
‘I think it’s so great that there is something like this, that is there for their recognition and the sacrifice they make for us.’
Payne was among a host of famous faces from entertainment and sport at the event, as well as Boris Johnson.
After almost bumping into the Prime Minister on the red carpet, Payne joked: ‘We nearly got a full on Brexit there, that would have been a different scenario, wouldn’t it.’
PDA: Joey Essex and girlfriend Lorena Medina packed on the PDA as they arrived at the ceremony
Wow: Coronation Street star Helen, 29, exuded old Hollywood glamour in a gorgeous strapless ballgown paired with new raven locks
Here he is: Fresh from Brexit, Prime Minister Boris Johnson put on an animated display on the red carpet