With it being week 5, some of these wannabe Nancys are now giving lacklustre performances, with some of the favourites clearly running out of steam. We are now down to eight girls and after Fran’s departure, it’s proof that anyone could go. So, this means they all step it up a gear, right? Wrong, as Saturday saw some really bad performances.

Niamh was first up with her version of “Valerie” and it was awful. Her diction was all over the place and her dance routines were embarassing. You could argue that the song was clearly unsuitable. But, let’s face it…. this young lass is not Nancy. She is a nice performer but she has had better weeks and is now turning in distinctly average performances.

Rachel was next with “I’m With You” and she gave a much better performance. This girl is reliable and certainly has less work to do than the others. Apart from a few tuning problems, she could take the part tomorrow. Week in, week out she pleases the judges and wins over the public. The only thing missing from her performances is humour. I would like to see her do a fun number next. But overall, this girl is a star.

Jessie sang Sam Brown’s “Stop” and if you shut your eyes, she was great. But her posture and moves are becoming so uncomfortable to watch. She needs training and I do not feel she will ever be ready to take this part on, until someone gives her lessons. She is now so nervous about standing incorrectly, that she slouches even more than before. Like Niamh, she is not Nancy.

Sarah is a great actress and she conveys emotion incredibly well via her song choices. She did not disappoint with Alanis Morissette’s “Ironic.” But her feisiness is fairly one-note, resulting in a wry smile where there should be rage. In short, give this girl the role of Glinda in Wicked. She is too nice and wholesome for Nancy, but she is certainly the most committed girl in the competition.

Keisha had a song which suited her perfectly - “I’m Outta Love” by Anastacia. But, I cannot see her in the role. There is something missing and it’s her acting ability. She simply sings the song, very well but you never get the impression that she is living it. With some more work and training, she could work her way up, but she is not a leading lady at the moment.

Ashley sang Streisand’s “Evergreen” as a smiley club style number for some reason. Her voice has a certain something but her performance lacked the poignancy that you associate with this emotive song. She has been through the mill and maybe her confidence has been knocked. But, like many of the others, I do not see her commanding a stage just yet. She is too ‘hotel lounge’ at the moment.

Samantha was next with Kelly Clarkson’s “Since you Been Gone.” The judges loved it but I thought the majority of the song was out of tune. Sam can almost get away with it with these pop songs but when it comes to musical numbers, the weaknesses are more apparent. She would be better in a show like Footloose, rather than Oliver!

Jodie was the final Nancy to sing and she chose Whitney’s “I Have Nothing.” This was her strongest performance to date, as she has started to tone down the jazz hands. She has improved and looks determined. There is a tiny bit of ‘Blackpool rock’ left in the girl. But, she has improved vocally and, along with Rachel is def the one to watch.

In terms of who should be in the sing-off, there could be so many, as only Jodie, Sarah and Rachel deserve to stay.

But I think Niamh should go this week as she will never be Nancy.

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