Alexandra Burke falls for goalie after joking she’d never date a footballer

 X FACTOR winner Alexandra Burke has fallen for a top-flight goalie — soon after joking she’d never date another footballer.

She met West Ham and Republic of Ireland ace Darren Randolph last month.

Thrilled Alexandra, 32, is helping to decorate his mansion and even hired a chef to cook for them both for his 34th birthday on Wednesday.

The Bad Boys singer had sworn off players after splitting from Rotherham United defender Angus MacDonald in October.

But a source said last night: “It’s early days and Alexandra has deliberately taken things incredibly slowly.

“They’ve had a series of dates but not been able to meet up as much as they would have wanted due to her hectic work schedule and the Covid restrictions.

“Alexandra was extremely reluctant to date another footballer but Darren is the sweetest, most down-to-earth guy — and incredibly charming. He wore her down!”

The couple have had to juggle their time with Alex rehearsing for a West End production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Darren needed on the bench as West Ham compete in the Premier League.

The source added: “Things are going really well. They’re super-happy seeing each other when they can, and she’s now helping him redecorate his mansion.

“She’s making his bachelor pad more homely and adding a much-needed feminine touch.”

On Wednesday Alexandra — winner of The X Factor in 2008 — posted on her Instagram a picture of Darren with a small cream cake and candle.

She wrote: “Happy Birthday to youuu Darren Randolph, hope you have the most amazing day!”

The couple also tucked into gourmet grub from a private chef.

Earlier this year, she said: “I’m really happy being single but I do believe my next relationship will not be in the public eye.

“I don’t want to hear everyone else’s opinions on my love life. Now I’m in my 30s, I’m more open to dating. I’m more aware of myself and what I want from a man.”

Darren signed for the Hammers from Birmingham City in 2015 then switched to Middlesbrough before returning to East London club last year.

The 6ft 2in stopper made his Ireland debut in 2012 and now lives in Brentwood, Essex.

Previously he dated The Saturdays singer Rochelle Wiseman, his childhood sweetheart, until 2010.

Alexandra was in a relationship with defender Angus for 15 months.

The singer supported him after he was diagnosed with bowel cancer in August 2019.

Despite deleting all pictures of him from her social media, she has always said that they remained “good friends” and the split was amicable.