Alesha Dixon mocked for singing national anthem in American accent at British Grand Prix

Alesha Dixon has hit back at critics who slammed her performance of the national anthem at the British Grand Prix after she sang it in an American accent and changed the lyrics.

Viewers branded the Britain's Got Talent judge's rendition as "simply awful" after she adopted an American twang and changed the words to 'God Save Our Queen', instead of 'God Save the Queen'.

But Dixon, 36, insisted she had sung in a "Soul" accent and had deliberately altered the lyrics.

In a tweet - that has since been deleted - Dixon said: "FYI it's not an American accent....It's called Soul!!! #GrandPrix #happs!".

"There's a difference between getting the words wrong and choosing 2 sing a particular version! Boring story, very sad! #don'tp*sssonmyparade."

She also told her 853,000 followers that journalists "talk a lot of sh*t".

Bemused Formula One fans took to Twitter to mock the former Mis-Teeq singer and it was not long before her name was trending.

The reaction to Dixon's performance threatened to overshadow Lewis Hamilton's victory at Silverstone, which moved him 17 points clear at the top of the championship.