I had a feeling that tonight’s sing-off was going to produce one of those curveballs, whereby you are left thinking, “How did they get through? and “why is so and so in the bottom two?” and it happened. More on that later, but first, how did we get there?

Well, firstly, we were shown footage of the girls acting, strangely, after we had voted. The Nancys worked alongside Barbara Windsor and DVO in the real Queen Victoria pub. Jodie bought life experience and was better than I had expected, Samantha looked like a soap star in waiting and I can see her as a teen vamp in Eastenders. Rachel was excellent, contrasting with Jessie who was awful. DVO agreed and then did a U-turn, talking up the Irish lass!

JUDGES’ FAVES

The group number was Lionel Bart’s “Fings Ain’t What They Used To Be.” DVO singled out (surprise, surprise!) Jessie, John praised Niamh (why?!) and Barry liked Jodie. Andrew said it was unfair to single anyone out, but then mentioned Jessie as the strongest link. I am either watching a different show to many of the judges, I am a miserable critic, or this show is geared around false comments which equal phone votes!

OLIVERS’ FAVE

The Olivers chose Sarah as their Nancy and she sang a group number with them. (more…)

I think Andrew Lloyd Webber must be relishing his role as the ’sulky’ judge as we witnessed a real spoof style moment, whereby he said “You don’t need to film this bit!” before stomping off. This show is certainly more formulated than all the others. But, it sure makes for good telly, whatever Kevin Spacey thinks!

The Nancys have started to look like they want it now and you can also sense that the ’sisters’ aspect of the show is starting to ebb away, as individuals are now stepping forward, away from the rest of the pack.

First up is Jodie with a very male song: “Luck Be a Lady” from the hit show, Guys And Dolls. Her acting is coming along also and Andrew says she is 10% away from being fabulous.” She has bags of personality and gives a turn which is exactly what musical theatre should be. There are some rough cabaret edges but I have seen far more O.T.T performers than her on stage recently. All power to her as she is listening and really learning.

Sarah is certainly acting better but comments that she has never been in the situation evoked by the song “Mr Bojangles!” Well, that’s what acting is for, Sarah! She delivers a good performance but it feels really stage-school and too squeaky clean for me. I am starting to get bored, as she seems to do the same every week now. (more…)

The Lord may have regretted moonlighting on American Idol last week, as he was left with a bottom two which did not make him happy. In fact he looked like he was positively fuming. Could it be that all is not happy in camp, following his u-turn with Ashley last week and the panel’s dislike of Keisha which clearly clashed with his own views?

When asked who did well in the group song, DVO said Jodie and Andrew was mightily impressed with Keisha, which explains his temper tantrum later on. The panel were then asked who was NOT Nancy. Barry said Keisha, DVO said Ashley and John said Keisha. This is where I believe the rot had set in, as Andrew is clearly not agreeing with the panel and either expects them to tow the line or is thinking that he is on the wrong show. (more…)

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. (more…)

The best bits of I’d Do Anything are the cutaways to Andrew’s frowning face as one of the girls hits a bum note. He looked totally blank as Francesca sang, smiling like a five year old opening birthday presents as Niamh did her number, and sighed as Ashley walked across the stage. A hint of things to come later?

Kerry Ellis from the hit show Wicked helped the Nancys get ready to perform in front of the show’s matinee audience. The audience (well, the producers really) pointed out Keisha, Rachel and Jessie. Jodie and Francesca both received mixed comments. Jodie mentioned that this was a “snippet of my dream!” She really should jump ship to X Factor!

Cut to Andrew in zany sunglasses looking like a blue-bottle fly, as the girls sing an awful “Viva Las Vegas” looking like flowery ironing boards in their hideous costumes! ‘The fly’ singles Sarah out as impressive. John says Ashley and Barry likes Jessie and Samantha. DVO agrees and says Samantha. (more…)

It’s already Week 4 and the competition is hotting up. Unlike many of these shows, there are a few contestants who could nail this part and be a huge success. But there are others who could not carry it off in month of Sundays and that is becoming apparent week on week.

The Lord was on “other business” - according to Head-Prefect, Graham Norton. Of course, we all know why he isn’t in the Studio, as he is moonlighting on the show American Idol. Really Cameron Mackintosh should have been there instead. But by having an empty chair and a live link up, instead of the real thing means that you are left thinking that this show does not have the life or death decision at the end that the hype dictates it is!

Anyway, with or without the Phantom, the Nancys were on form and ready to battle on.

First up was the ‘people’s’ Nancy, Jodie from Blackpool. She delivered a really breathy version of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5.” It was ful of life but she looked out of breath to me. I know that there is a big swell of support behind this lass. But to me, she is like a loyal St Bernard but with no teeth. I want to see some bite to her performance. At the minute, she would be great in C Beebies; The Musical, as she is too twee to be Nancy! (more…)

You know many of the judges on these reality singing shows say: “That was very Cruise-Ship in style.” Well, I went to review John Barrowman’s gig at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester on Tuesday. And guess what? It was very Cruise-Ship!

To read the full review, click here.

The Nancy mission this week was to kiss Ben James Ellis, an ex contender for the Joseph role, now a huge success in the hit show Hairspray. Jodie looked like she was going to eat him, as did Francesca. By the delight on their faces, Niamh and Samantha may have swapped numbers with the lad!

But, onto business. Following the Saturday show, Francesca cried and said: “I don’t know what I am going to do.” Well, try singing in tune, love! Jodie gushed at their comments and did her usual “I’m not worthy” face, which is beginning to wear thin, as the weeks progress. (more…)

Following Cleo’s surprise exit, were we going the get the result we actually wanted this week? Well, Andrew (left) certainly stepped up his comments this week, coming across as more honest then other member of the panel. This will, hopefully have an effect on the result later tonight.

But, before we speculate, who is going and who should stay; let’s have a look at the runners and riders from the third live show:

First up was Rachel and the theme was songs from the musicals. She did not have the best choice; “Oh! What A Night“ from The Jersey Boys. But this was an excuse to plug Cam Mack’s new London arrival, more than show off Rachel’s vocal prowess. But she delivered, nonetheless. She has the confidence and the emotional maturity to take this role. But she is being chased more furiously by some of the others this week.

Sarah was next and she sang “Maybe This Time“ from the hit Cabaret. Denise is yet to be convinced, but she totally convinced me. Yes, she needs to be a bit tougher but, she has that vulnerable side to her personality that is required to carry the role. I am sure that in future weeks, Sarah will impress even more, if she is kept in.

Francesca did not have the best song, “The Time Of My Life“ from Dirty Dancing. But she was so off key at times, it hurt my ears. (more…)

Much of the humour which is evident in I’d Do Anything comes from the script. Graham said: “Andrew has a massive responsibility.” Not really, as if the show is critically derided, it will survive on its strong advance, alone. We next see a re-cap pf the performances.

The Nancy mission is very I’m A Celebrity …. Get Me Out Of Here. The girls have to face rats. What’s next? Eating a kangaroo’s penis, accompanied by Christopher Biggins? They also take part in a test of their acting ability, playing alongside Steve Hartley as Bill Sykes.

Sarah is very convincing, Rachel is strong, yet, Jodie, Sam and Jessie are disappointing. Tellingly, many of the others are not shown. Cut to Andrew sat stroking a rat like some sort of Bond villain, threatening to take over the West End! A group song follows, the classic disco hit “Enough Is Enough.”

RESULTS

When asked who was not Nancy, the panel picked the following:

John: Samantha (to which a relative shouted: “What?”)

Denise: Keisha

Barry: Keisha

Onto the results themselves; Ashley and Niamh are called and are clearly through, even though they look frightened when their names are called. (more…)