X Factor Live Shows Week 5

It's the halfway point of the live shows and, by now, we should be settling in. Every week, things should be getting more predictable and the results should be expected. And yet, this has been probably the most turbulent week (or two) in X Factor history.

Following on from the renaming of Little Mix, the resignation of a band member from The Risk and the immediate replacement of him, the absence of judge and Girls mentor, Kelly, and then the shock loss of Sophie Habibis (all in week's blog), this week we had a double elimination that continued to reinforce the fact that no-one is safe, and then the shock exit of Frankie Cocozza from the show. But more on that later. First, a run down of this week's performances.

This week, I was most saddened to say goodbye to Johnny. I find him entertaining and his charm and joy is infectious. However, he's not quite X Factor material so it was inevitable that he would leave sooner or later. Not only was he first to perform this week, and therefore vulnerable for that reason, I felt his performance was weaker than in past weeks. The staging was great and he looked fantastic on stage, and ever more comfortable when performing, but the first of the two songs in his mash-up didn't really work for me. You Spin Me Round was much better and it was a shame that he didn't just do this and skip Hung Up. As for Kitty this week, I also felt her performance fell a little flat. There is nothing better than a nice bit of Madonna, but Kitty murdered Like a Prayer. She doesn't have the best voice in the world, in particular her vibrato (the pleasant wobbly sound, for the uninitiated) is very forced and fast. It's distracting and I would much rather she just sang a clean note than force a vibrato. I also hated the staging. It annoys me a little that Kitty feels the need to prance around in her underwear every week. Having said that, she is a good commercial act, so the decision to keep her in over Johnny, was the right one. Part of me would rather have seen Johnny stay though.

Moving on to Kelly's lovely Girls, Janet was second in the line-up and committed the ultimate sin of performing - she forgot the words! Having said that, I strongly disagree with the feedback from the judges. I really enjoyed her performance. It was an excellent song choice that suited her quirky voice. I also loved the styling this week, with the softer make-up and hair. There's only one thing about Janet that continues to irritate me (and others that I know of) and it's her general attitude. She always seems miserable and the comment on the show about not wanting to dance because it detracts from the music is just pompous nonsense. I just wish she'd have a bit of fun for a change, because I want to have fun when I watch her. As for Misha B, now there's a girl who knows how to have fun on stage, and I always enjoy her performances. She did one of my favourite songs too - Proud Mary - and did a big song the justice it deserved. Win or not, Misha B is going to be an X Factor success story.

The other casualty in this week's double elimination was The Risk. After the last minute changes of the previous week, they were probably under the most pressure to bring it to the stage this week. The sad thing is that they did bring it. But unfortunately as successful as Night to Remember was as a performance, it just wasn't memorable. I had to go back and watch it YouTube to remind myself what they sung and it was only watching it back that I realised just how good it was. What a shame. But at this stage, every act has to do their best to stand out against the competition, because not doing so will cost you your place on the show, as it did for The Risk. The other remaining group in the contest, Little Mix, had a tough song, and if I'm honest, the vocal wasn't that great this week, it certainly wasn't as good as The Risk, so perhaps it's a bit unfair that they stayed and the boys went. However, I can't help but like them and, unlike The Risk, their performance was memorable. I do think they have a long way to go, I they want to survive future votes. Their harmonies are weak and when they sing in unison it's even worse because the sound is muddled and clashy (probably because they are not actually in unison, are supposed to be in harmony and there are harmonies on the backing). I love my Little Mix girls, but it's time for them to up their game.

Finally, the Boys - my favourite category! Craig Colton was a revelation this week. This should have been a weak theme for him, having stuck to ballads (and quite rightly, with that type of song being his strength), but the song really suited his voice and he looked so comfortable on stage, like he was having so much fun, it was infectious. I genuinely enjoyed the performance. It's getting to the stage where I can't wait to see what he pulls out of his bag of tricks next, and where I can't separate him an Marcus - surely they must both be headed for the Final. Speaking of Marcus, he was, as usual, superb this week. This is a guy I can get exited about. He's got a great voice, he'll have a go at anything and always puts in 100%. He's fun to watch, and really enjoys being on stage. Plus, he's really cute, although that is by no means the be-all of his charms. Once again, I can't wait to see what he will do next. Rather than Misha B, surely both Craig and Marcus are headed for great careers whether they win the competition or not.

As for Frankie (who gets a paragraph all of his own), what a naughty boy and what a vile performance. The least deserving of his place in terms of his vocal ability, I am glad that he's gone from the show, although I wish it had been by public vote and not because of his behaviour. I understand why Gary chose Frankie to go into the show, and I understand why he was still there, but his performance on Saturday was terrible. He was shouting rather than singing and was just walking around the stage rather than performing. The rumours that he was high at the time are hardly surprising. As for his behaviour, I hope that he will have learned from the experience. Considering the thousands of people that applied for X Factor, and the many hundreds of very talented people who weren't successful, rightly or wrongly, I can't help but feel that Frankie should have been more appreciative of the opportunity.

Thankfully, we have a chance to give one of the four acts that went out in Week 1 the opportunity to come back and be part of the X Factor again. Voting is open now and will close on Saturday during the live show (12th November some time after 8.15pm). You can vote for lovely Essex lasses, 2 Shoes (0901 616 1301), rock chick, Amelia Lily (0901 616 1302), curly-haired cutie, James Michael (0901 616 1303) or hunky hero, Jonjo Kerr (0901 616 1304). For more details and for call costs, click here. I'll be hoping that either 2 Shoes or Amelia Lily come back. I'd definitely like to see more of either of them.

Inevitably, there have been some people saying that the show should bring back Johnny, The Risk, or one of the other previously departed acts. However, it would be difficult to justify that to Ofcom, to whom ITV are accountable for their public telephone voting. The public have already voted against the acts that have gone in the past. I'm not sure what Ofcom rules are about it, but I'd bet it would be a headache for the broadcaster. In addition, some of the evicted performers have already made other commitments - Sophie Habibis, only one week out of the show, has been out and about quite a lot already, and will be at Birchwood Shopping Centre next Thursday (17th November) evening to sing and switch on the Christmas lights. Therefore, this lifeline to the initial four acts that were evicted seems like a good halfway house and I will welcome their return. I hope that whoever returns will be able to make something of this second chance.

NaBloPoMo Day 30 - X Factor Live Shows Week 4

What a shocker! But that's the way of this show; sometimes contestants that have the potential to go all the way end up in the bottom two, and unfortunately, who stays and goes all depends on who they are up against in the showdown.

So let's start with the Girls category. It's a testament to the fact that Kelly is actively mentoring her acts, that her absence this week, showed in their performances. It's important to say that there really wasn't a bad performance this week, from any of the acts, but there are always weaker performances and Sophie was, for me, probably the weakest of the night. She didn't really do anything wrong, but it was a terrible song choice - many people have tried, and failed, to up date it but it doesn't seem to work without that old fashioned, Nancy Sinatra type of vocal. That mistake left Sophie exposed, and her song for survival wasn't very impressive either. Although I did love her man-chair. Where can I get one? Ahem... I also thought Janet was quite weak. I love the Miss Havisham vibe that the production team put into the staging and I appreciate what she tried to do with song. It was suitably atmospheric, particularly on the flattening of certain notes, but some songs shouldn't be messed with. I can't help but reflect, as well, that Janet needs to smile more. I understand how much pressure she's under and she's obviously had some personal distress as well, but performing is about putting on a show as much as it is about plugging into your emotions (and those of others) and she's such a talented and beautiful girl, it's a shame to see her constantly solemn. Finally, Misha B. The one act from the Girls category that I didn't expect to see in the bottom two. I always love her performances and this week was no different. I love how adventurous she is with the staging and costuming and I think she has an amazing voice. Having said that, I think this week was her worst performance so far. That isn't to say it was bad: it wasn't. I honestly think the only reason she made the bottom two was because of the little disruptive rap bit in the middle of her song. It was unnecessary and didn't really work for me. I can imagine others being really annoyed by it and in such a close competition, that's a dangerous thing to do.

Moving on, one of the acts that I did half-expect to see in the bottom two was The Risk. Opening the show is always difficult and always a disadvantage, because everyone else is compared to you. It is therefore vital to put in a performance that will blow everyone else out of the water. I didn't think The Risk's performance measured up to the task. Having said that, it's hard to put together a show-stopping performance in 24 hours, which is basically all they had left after Ashley's shock departure, and Ashford's return. Turning to Tulisa's other group, Rhythmix... I mean Little Mix, I really did enjoy their performance and I'm pleased that the name change didn't damage them this week. I thought their interpretation of Alien was excellent and the staging was stunning. As much as I have enjoyed their previous shows, it was nice to see something more grown-up from them this week.

So who was strongest this week? That's always a tough call and the competition is impossibly close this year, but I agree with Gary that the performance of the night was Craig Colton. It was a stunning version of Set Fire to the Rain and the energy he put in stamped his identity on a song that is already quite iconic. The staging, once again, was brilliant and made it a memorable performance. As far as the rest of the Boys category goes, I also loved Marcus. He's very natural on the stage - an art which eludes me and which I am very jealous of - and he had a great voice. I really enjoyed his interpretation of Superstitious and, if it had been my choice, that's what I would've liked to see opening the show. It actually got me grooving in my seat. Frankie was, once again, the weakest of the three boys. Having said that, I did enjoy his performance and it was a good song choice for him because it hides the weaknesses in his voice. He's not quite my cup of tea, though, and I would honestly have preferred to say goodbye to him than lose Sophie.

In the fourth and final category, the Overs, I much preferred Johnny's performance from last week, but the song choice this week really did show off his voice. I adore him and think he has great appeal. He'll get a career out of this, but he's not really X Factor and I fear that it is only a matter of time before he falls by the wayside. Until then, I'll continue to enjoy his performances and his infectious smile. Last of all, Kitty continues to trouble me. She is gradually winning me over with her performances and this week was no different. It was a great interpretation of Sweet Dreams that made it really contemporary. I think the less she tries to impress with her off-stage persona, and the harder she tries on the stage, the more successful she will be on the show. For the first time, I can see her lasting, but her position is still precarious.

So overall, I would personally have liked to see Frankie Cocozza go this week, if only for the fact that his general laddishness doesn't appeal to me and I think he's a terrible role model. (I sound so old!) I didn't surprise me that Sophie was in the bottom two, but I didn't think she deserved to go and Misha B shouldn't have been in the bottom two at all. I still think Misha B is a winner. I haven't really seen anyone surpass her yet, but Craig, Marcus, Janet and Kitty are all serious contenders.

NaBloPoMo Day 29 - Another day, another chance to sing

This will probably be a fairly quick one, mainly because I need to get out with the dog and I want to finish watching X-Factor but I really wanted to mention a cool (in more ways than one) thing that I did today.

Today, England played Wales in the Rugby League Four Nations competition at the Leigh Sports Village. I, along with a bunch of my fellow Sing Live members were fortunate and honoured to have the chance to sing the national anthems on the pitch before the start of the match.

It was an early start, to get up, dog walked, both of us fed and watered, showered (that's me, not the dog), dressed and out the door to get to Pennington Flash before 9.30am. Arrival at the car park set the pattern for the day: standing around in the cold. We had a very successful rehearsal in the stadium - although the groundsman gave strict orders to stay off the pitch - and considering that it was the first chance we had to try the two anthems with the band and with each other, I think that on its own was an achievement. After some car moving and lunch, we had a blessedly warm practice in the dressing room and then lined up to go out on the pitch for the performance. Unfortunately the lining up was outside and it hadn't warmed up much since the morning, and then even when we got out on the pitch we were waiting for around twenty minutes before the actual singing. By the time we'd finished, I had cramp in one foot and in my hand but it was a great experience and I would do it again a million times... in fact I am doing it again in November in Hull for Wales v Australia.

Sure, there were a few issues surrounding car parking and I had to move my car a total of three times, and there really was a lot of standing around in the cold, but that can hardly be helped. Overall, it was a generally well organised day and we were provided with a really nice lunch and the people who looked after us we great and made sure we had everything we needed.The Welsh National Anthem is a beautiful melody and I thoroughly enjoyed learning and singing it. Although I think I'm going to have to find a harmony for the next time we do it because it's ridiculously high. And despite what people say, I think God Save the Queen is a stirring anthem and it's a pleasure to sing. The soloist was a lovely young singer named Megan Armstrong, who (I'm told) is the brother of a young rugby star. She was fantastic and has a stunning and powerful soprano voice and she looked amazing in a black sparkly number for the performance. And all of this was possible with Sing Live.

I know I've beaten this drum before, but I really do think that Sing Live is the best opportunity for ordinary people like me, who can hit a note, but have a thoroughly ordinary voice, to sing in brilliant venues and at big events like this. As my husband said earlier, this is the second time I have been on TV in just over a year. Short of getting on one of the talent contests (not going to happen!) how else would I get that chance?

NaBloPoMo Day 28 - Group Therapy

It's all gone on in the X Factor house this week. At least for Tulisa's groups it has; it seems rather than going from strength to strength they are going from trauma to trauma.

Earlier this week, Stephen Fry tweeted a link to an open to Simon Cowell and his multi-million pound show from the organisers of a charity. The charity in question was called Rhythmix and works with young people in the South East of England. Their aim is to develop the kids' personal and social skills while encouraging creativity. They have reportedly worked with 40,000 young people in the twelve years since they were formed. When the X Factor four-piece girl group formed, they chose their name without knowing about the charity. When the Syco - Simon Cowell's production company - tried to trademark the name, the charity took action so they could continue to use their existing name. When the girls found out about it, they decided to change their name and this evening announced that, from this weekend, they will be known under the new name 'Little Mix'.

However, that's not the end of the changes. This evening, on twitter, The X Factor announced that four-piece boyband, The Risk, have lost one of their members. Ashley Baptiste, aged 22, said on twitter "I love The Risk to the core. I just know that I am not at the right place to commit fully." Rumour has it that Ashley still wants a solo career and was concerned about committing to the band, only to leave. Ashley has also struggled with illness during the live shows and last week appeared despite suffering from Laryngitis and Glandular Fever in the run up to the show. Rather than continue as a trio, the boys have petitioned X Factor hopeful, Ashford Campbell, who sang in the first and second live shows with rival group, Nu Vibe, to take Ashley's place.

It seems the Girls category is not short of their own problems this week as category mentor, Kelly Rowland has fallen ill during a trip to Los Angeles earlier in the week. A statement read "Kelly is devastated she won't be here for this weekend's show. She is extremely ill with a viral throat infection and her doctors aren't permitting her to fly." However, rumours abound that Kelly is considering quitting the show following accusations from Tulisa in last week's live show that one of Kelly's star acts, Misha B, had been bullying some of the other contestants.

Regardless of whether there is any truth to the rumours, the question is, how will this week's X Factor roller-coaster affect Little Mix, The Risk and three girls, Misha B, Janet Devlin and Sophie Habibis? Such upsets, if playing on the contestants' minds, could affect their performances, and The Risk in particular, face the challenge of bringing a new member up to speed in very short shrift. No wonder Gary is feeling confident for this week. And of course, the earlier controversy over fourth judge, Louis Walsh, is now forgotten. How convenient.

NaBloPoMo Day 25 - Young Apprentice

I'm a little behind with my blogs now - yesterday was X Factor, which should have been Saturday or Sunday, and today I'm going to write about something that was on TV yesterday - Young Apprentice.

Last year was the first time the BBC had tried the teen version of one of their most popular reality TV shows, The Apprentice. Then it was called 'Junior Apprentice', but the premise this year remains the same; take collection of precocious 16 and 17 year olds and put them through their paces on a range of tasks designed to test their teamwork, management and business skills. Each week, one of the hopefuls is 'fired' and sent packing. Up for grabs to the last one standing is a fund that will be invested in the winner's education and business.

Watching these kids, two things fascinate me. First, most of them have an entrepreneurial spirit and as a result have already started  their own business despite being barely out of school. Most adults three times their age haven't achieved that. There's some definite educational high achievers too, with one lad this year achieving the joint highest result in his year in GCSE Economics in Northern Ireland. All of them have impressive CVs but the thing that really amuses me is that they are all clones of their adult counterparts.

Is it that the kids are particularly mature and that is reflected in their antics, or is it that the adults have never grown up and are still behaving like teenagers. In both shows there is bickering in abundance, plenty of tantrums and the biggest egos imaginable.

The first episode was excellent, with it being all too obvious which candidates were out of their depth. I'm already looking forward to the next one.

NaBloPoMo Day 24 - X Factor Live Shows Week 3

What a week on X Factor. It is rare indeed that I don't watch the Saturday night show and have an act (or sometimes several) that I either think will go, or wish would go, particularly this early on. I felt that everyone put in a good performance and as a result, the show was a pleasure to watch. Here's a few thoughts on the four categories and this week's result.

The Boys category took the lead into the show this week with a tremendous opening from hairdresser, Marcus Collins. His vocal could have been stronger but I felt his performance was well rounded and, as always, his fantastic personality shone through. Frankie Cocozza was much better this week - wooing the ladies and getting rat-arsed obviously works for him. (Hrrrmmmm!) Frankie has the weakest voice of all the contestants (including many of those that have already gone) but his strength is his stage presence and 'cheeky lad' character. As long as he and Gary continue to play up to that he will be alright. Craig disappeared into the background a little this week and I felt he was somewhat at risk. He has a great voice and a lovely personality (he comes across as being very personable on Twitter - @CraigColtonUK) and when he has the right song he can really emote, but I can't help but feel that Rock Week isn't his gig.

The Girls category put in another solid performance this week. Janet brought a slightly insipid version of Sweet Child of Mine, but I can't fault her vocal. She was lacking a little bit of sparkle, but in the grand scheme of things she was still a joy to watch. Sophie is emerging as a potential dark horse now. She is starting to show a bit more of her gutsy personality, which is a pleasure to see. Her verson of Living on a Prayer was probably the best version of it, bar the original; I've heard it sung a lot of different ways, and I've head it murdered a lot of different ways, but Sophie's version was excellent. Of course (and this is the only sad thing) is that both Janet and Sophie, no matter how talented, pale in comparison to Misha B. The girl is a great character, a great performer, has a great look and a great brand. She's hard working, dedicated and has a genuine feel for 'the biz'. It's a sign of her threat to the other categories and contestants when Tulisa and Louis feel the need to character assassinate her, live on stage. More on that in a moment.

I felt that the weakest category overall this week was the Groups, although this was due in part to Tulisa not understanding the challenge (Has she never watched this show before????) and, certainly for The Risk, a weakened team through illness. I have enjoyed both groups in previous weeks but I thought that this week was Rhythmix's weakest performance vocally, but their song was rubbish and the vocal arrangement was a train wreck. Tulisa had better up her game next week if she doesn't want to lose her girls. The Risk were the beet of the two groups and the arrangement for Crazy was actually really quite inventive, although it lends itself to a four-part better than the Push It Mash-up that the girls had.

Finally, the Over 25s were super this week. Like Kelly, I think of Johnny as my guilty pleasure. I loved his performance this week (although it got a bit slap-dash at the end) and the styling this week was brilliant. The thing that really entertains me though is the banter with Gary. Long may it continue! Sami, I fear, was let down by her mentor. Why is it that Louis can't see past the cruise-ship/lounge singer styling and song choice. Sami has a belting voice and deserved a better shot than Louis was able to give her. I am disappointed that she suffered as a result. As for Kitty, my personal opinion of her hasn't changed. But like her or loathe her, she can sing and she can perform. I hate to say it, but I felt this week was her strongest performance to date and it put her right up there with the best acts on the night. I predict, however, that the public will not warm to her and she will fnd herself in the bottom two again. If she comes up against a more commercial and popular act, she will be out.

So, overall, an entertaining showcase of genuine talent. I found it hard to pick the loser this week and I was sad that it was Sami, particularly since I feel that she was not given the best chance of success because of her mentor. On that note, Louis is in hot water at the moment because of his accusation of bullying against Misha B, and rightly so. It was a terrible thing to say, especially for the sake of gaining an advantage over your competition. The press (and the public) are beying for blood and I tend to agree; Louis is past his sell-by date (it's nothing to do with his age, it's to do with his ability to mentor and judge the competition) and I would like to see him replaced. Rumours circulate that Simon Cowell could be returning, but I feel that would be a mistake. I would like to see a younger artist take Louis's place however my feeling is that it's not going to happen. We'll wait and see.

NaBloPoMo Day 21 - Corrie

I admit it. I watch a lot of television. In fact, I would wager that I watch too much television. But it has been said (by Liz at work) "Do you watch any TV?" mainly because I don't watch soaps. It's a fact that the TV that I choose to watch, althoughly hugely popular, has more of a niche appeal that the stuff that most of my colleagues are in to.

However, tonight, while sharing a take out with my 'sistah from another mistah', I watched Coronation Street and actually really enjoyed it.

I don't really know why I never bothered with Corrie. Eastenders is too depressing, Hollyoaks is too young and pretty, Emerdale is too... well let's put it this way, I have concerns for the wellbeing of the sheep. But Corrie is friendly, it's neighbourly (being set in Salford, where I live) and it's familiar. My Nanna used to watch it religiously and the theme tune is something I grew up with that still creates a little warm feeling when I hear it. So many great actors and actresses have come through the show, including the wonderful Betty Driver, who passed away last weekend.

Of course, the acting is a little ropey in places and the dialogue is somewhat tedius at times, but it has emotion and, more importantly, a sense of humour.

It was pleasant entertainment and, while I don't think I am going to start watching it regularly, like my Nanna used to, I was impressed by how comfortable it was to watch and surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I may have to start paying a little bit more attention.

NaBloPoMo Day 18 - The Secret Circle

I'm not usually a soap opera or teenage drama fan. I give things like Hollyoaks a wide berth and generally avoid anything in which the key characters are likely to be students at a school. But every now and again something comes along that is worth dipping a toe in the water.

The Secret Circle follows the misadventures of a group of six teenagers. However, in true dramatic fashion, these are no ordinary, angsty, acne riddled teenagers; these six kids are witches.

Following the death of her mother, gorgeous supermodel teenager number 1 (henceforth referred to as 'Cassie') is orphaned and moves in with her grandmother. At her new school, in the small town of Chance Harbour, she encounters a clutch of bad-eggs who, it turns out aren't all bad, but are witches and revel that she also has the power to make stuff explode, set fires and make it rain (or not), both in the traditional direction and also the opposite one. The kids are struggling to expand and control their abilities while Cassie struggles to come to terms with what she has learned about herself and her family. Meanwhile, some adult witches, that have had their power stripped away by the previous generation following a horrific accident, are scheming to get their powers back, and it involves Cassie and the Circle.

I didn't watch the series right away but I'd seen the ads and it look interesting so I recorded it and watched the first three episodes virtually back to back. The Secret Circle is everything a drama aimed at teenagers and young adults should be - there's the angst, the struggle to find oneself, the effort to be independent, the self discovery, and of course, deserving of as much ridicule as one can possibly muster, everyone is skinny and attractive and the teenagers all look about 20 years old. However, all of the typical themes and plot points are very carefully and cleverly woven in with the magical elements to make the situation seem both extraordinary and entirely normal at the same time and, in that respect, it reminds me very much of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

The characters are interesting and satisfyingly flawed, which makes them accessible to the audience. They are thrown together and made to rely on each other despite not really liking each other, which has introduced plenty of conflict; even by episode three, there are already two love triangles established, which is impressive considering the relatively small cast. The back story is intriguing, mainly because it is only really hinted at beyond establishing the key facts, but this aone gives plenty of scope for development and exploration. There is certainly plenty of potential. My hope is that the writing is able to find the right groove for such complex cocktail. Of the first three episodes, the second was probably the weakest, as Cassie spent two thirds of it running out rooms and away from people. So far the writing hasn't quite managed to find that groove, but it isn't far off.

Admittedly, this will not be a show that will have wide appeal (and that may cost it in the long run), but if you enjoyed Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this will probably be right up your street.

NaBloPoMo Day 15 - X Factor Live Shows Week 2

It was a great show tonight and I had that rare pleasure of watching live - ordinarily I record it and watch it back the next day to spare hubby the 'pain' of having to sit through it but there was nothing else on so I won... DEFAULT DEFAULT DEFAULT!

I think tonight's show demonstrated just how strong the field is this year. In past years there has always been a mish-mash of talent when it comes to the first couple of live shows, mostly, I think, due to the pressure. This year, however, there is plenty of talent on display and it is actually very refreshing.

The Groups opened the show this week with one of the weakest performances of the night from boy-band, Nu Vibe. Louis nick-named them No Vibe, which, despite their decidedly average performance, is a bit unfair. They were much improved on the previous week and it was easy to see why they had got through. However, it was just an average performance when taken in context and opening the show is always the worst slot, so I fear they will be in the bottom two, and will probably be going home tomorrow night. Of the other two groups, The Risk put in another solid performance, although the start of their number was a little dodgy. I wasn't sure whether it was the vocal or that the sound balance was off. But even so, it was a good performance. Rhythmix were the stand-out act in the group category for me. These four girls look great, sound great and do something a little bit different from the usual girl-band type of stuff. They feel fresh and new without being weird. They're comfortable on stage and so that makes them easy to watch. For the first time ever, I have voted in the first show and I voted for these girls. I'd like to think that's a sign that they are something special.

I think the Girls category was probably the strongest overall tonight. Misha B is a genuine pop-star. She has the look, the personality and above all the voice to be something really special but she is humble with it. It's like she knows she's good, but that she relies on the goodwill of others to carry her, and she's OK with that. Janet Devlin put in another lovely performance tonight too. She has a beautiful voice that is unique, which makes her ideal as a recording artist. She was a little downbeat in her performance, and her personality didn't come through, but I think that's to be expected due to the bereavement. What a little trooper. Finally, Sophie Habibis is the big question mark for me. When I hear her sing, I think she could be the dark horse and sneak up on this contest. Normally, this would be the kind of contestant that lingers in the background for a few weeks and then suddenly shines and goes on to be very successful. However, I wonder how much time she has. The competition is tough this year.

The Boys category also had some highs and lows for me. Lets talk about Frankie Cocozza. I completely understand why he's there, and I do agree that he deserves it because he knows how to put on a good show. But the song choice this week left him completely exposed. He was uncomfortable (probably due to the late change) and although it was a song that suited his vocal, it's also one that is impossible for him to hide in. The weaknesses in his voice were all too obvious and I wonder if he will survive. Both Marcus and Craig put in great performances tonight. They are strong contenders and I hope they both stay for a few more weeks at least.

Finally, the Over 25s category. This is still a category that is suffering rather than benefiting from Louis's guidance. Sami was first up with her stunning diva voice, but the song was hopeless. The problem with a song as iconic as 'I Will Always Love You' is that it is impossible to make it sound anything other than a cover of Whitney and it's so rooted in pop-culture that it shows it's age. Of course, Sami nailed it and made it appear effortless, so that should see her through but I hope that Louis starts listening to some contemporary music to find her something better for next week. Johnny is my guilty pleasure in this contest. Far from being the light entertainment like Jedward were, he has talent and he puts on a show. He didn't get great comments and I know he has his haters, but I love him to bits. Now... Kitty... her performance tonight was flawless. She took another old and iconic song but did make it a bit different and I thought her stage presentation was brilliant. Having said that, I find her so utterly fake that I can't believe her or her performance. I find her cocky and arrogant, and I actually wouldn't mind that (because the world is full of cocky an arrogant people and she has incredible talent, so would perhaps, be justified in her cockiness and arrogance) but she tries to hide it. She stands on the stage trembling and meekly thanking the judges for their comments, but it's a lie. You can see it in her eyes.

So, my prediction for the bottom two is Nu Vibe for sure and maybe Kitty, just because the public aren't warming to her. It should probably be Nu Vibe and Frankie Cocozza, but I can't see that happening. Marcus could be at risk, because I'm not are how strong his following is. I would be genuinely surprised if it was anyone else in the bottom two. I think Nu Vibe are going home tomorrow night. I still think Misha B could win this year. In the meantime, I will be looking forward to more from the girls and from Rhythmix in particular.

NaBloPoMo Day 14 - I Spy

This evening, still feeling pretty terrible, I indulged in Sky 1's Comedy Friday. They aired a new TV show titled 'Spy'.

The show tells the story of Tim (Darren Boyd - The Green Wing) who is a bit of a bungling idiot. He's been working at the same dead-end job for seven years until he suddenly decides to quit, in order to win the respect of his son. He goes to a recruitment day for a civil service data processing job and is accidentally recruited as a spy working for MI5.

It's not a bad little sit-com. It certainly has some potential. The character of Tim is fairly charming and his situation has plenty of potential laughs. The MI5 recruiter als has a lot of promise. Played by the wonderful Robert Lindsay, who is evey bit a proper actor having fun in the role. However, Tim's son Marcus is truly terrible. It seems that the writers may have been aiming for the precocious child intelligence that has made BBCs 'Outnumbered' such a success. I'm not sure whether it's the writing, or whether actor Jude Wright has just failed to achieve the innocence of his Outnumbered contemporaries, but the character is, for me at least, a complete failure, so much so that I am unsure whether to stick with it for the remaining five episodes.

NaBloPoMo Day 13 - Is There a Doctor in the House?

I have a few TV series that are true favourites. I love good drama and compelling characters. I like my dialogue clever and fast-paced, so my all time favourite show is The West Wing. My second favourite show is House.

Years ago, when I was writing fan-fiction in college, hubby - who wasn't hubby then - dreamed up a character that was instantly a favourite. He was a dysfunctional doctor with an alcohol problem and a terrible bedside manner but skilled and talented in his work. When House hit our screens it was like seeing that character brought to life in front of my eyes.

As time has passed, the series has achieved some highs and some lows. Last season plodded a bit, but the show has never shied away from tackling difficult and complex subjects including suicide, mental illness, drug abuse, medical ethics and the fine (and sometimes not so fine) line between right and wrong.

It has a great cast, great scripts and great stories. I highly recommend it (start with the early episodes/seasons) and you'll probably be addicted before long.

NaBloPoMo Day 10 - X Factor Live Show Week 1

If there is any doubt, I love X Factor. It's one of the few talent show / reality show type of programme that I watch, yet I have stuck with it since the second year. Religiously.

I really enjoyed the shows this weekend. Despite initial concerns, I love the new judges; they each have a refreshing air of honesty about them and it's nice to see evidence in the VTs of them actually mentoring their acts. However, I wish they'd binned Louis Walsh as well. The only thing he adds to the show is his hackneyed catchphrase book ("You belong on that stage"... "You could win the X Factor"... "You look like a popstar") and a catalogue of dated music; sometimes he even manages to make his acts dated when doing current stuff. I really don't know how he does it.

The field is also strong this year with several potential winners. It is, of course, always hard to tell how things will play out with so much depending on what happens in the press and whether there are any shocks in the public vote, but even at this stage, I think we're looking at a winner in the girls category. All four performers were excellent on Saturday night and I'm sure it was a tough decision for Kelly. Despite a stunning vocal, I expected her to send home Sophie Habibis - as the least distinctive of the four Girls, I fearthat she will fall foul of the public vote sooner rather than later - but I can't say that I'm disappointed that she stayed. It was a shame to reject Amelia Lily, who opened the show with a strong performance, but at 16 and with her talent, she should have plenty of opportunities ahead of her. In the Girls category, Misha B was the stand-out performance for me. And it's rare for me to enjoy a cover of an iconic song like Rolling in the Deep.

I was unsurprised at the result in the Boys and the Over 25s category. In the Boys category, while James Michael had more potential, he bottled it on the night and put in a weak performance. It was a bad call to start with a Beatles song on opening night and when compared with good performances from Frankie Cocozza (even though that breathy thing was really irritating), Marcus Collins and a stand-out effort from Craig Coltan, it was inevitable that James would be the one to fall.

The Over 25s category is the weakest this year (and indeed, it's the weakest Overs category I've seen for several years). Sami Brooks has a great vocal but I can't see her competing for long. Kitty Brucknell is a great entertainer but the public don't like her. She will inevitably be in the bottom two for week after week and constantly get saved before the judges finally let her go. Until then she will be the contestant that everyone loves to hate. Johnny Robinson is adorable and I'm so glad he's made the cut. His performance on Saturday was very average but he's such a character and a pleasure to see. Although I genuinely liked Jonjo Kerr, I felt that his performance was boring and lacked sparkle. He wasn't ready for the live shows and it was right that he should go.

My big disappointment in the result came from the Groups category. I rath enjoyed The Risk and Rhythmix. Although I don't find them all that distinctive in the wider market place they have talent and are appealing acts. The other two groups stood out in the category for me: Nu Vibe for all the wrong reasons and 2 Shoes for all the right reasons. I thought Nu Vibe were terrible and by far the weakest performance of the whole night, while I love the fun and cheeky character of the 2 Shoes girls. I enjoyed the performance, even if the song sounded a little odd without the other 3 parts that it was originally written for, so I was very disappointed that they were the ones that went home and not Nu Vibe. I can only assume that the pregnancy was an issue for the show and hope that the girls will be back next year

So overall, a great start to this year's live shows. My early (and I emphasise that this is EARLY) prediction is a winner from the Girls. At this stage, my Monopoly money is on Misha B with Frankie Cocozza the runner up. But it could all change and I can't wait for next week.

TV Review: Terra Nova "Genesis Part 1 & 2"

With the Steven Spielberg name attached along with some fairly serious acting talent, dinosaurs, time travel and rumours of a budget numbering in the millions per episode, Terra Nova seems like it might be the next big thing. It promised so much, yet series opener "Genesis" delivered so little.

The episode opens with a CGI ariel sweep across a smog-filled dystopian cityscape as the audience is introduced to the swiss-family Shannon: dad, Jim (Life on Mars actor, Jason O'Mara), mum, Elisabeth (Shelley Conn), and their three children, Josh, Maddy and Zoe. However, the happy family is quickly torn apart in an altercation with the authorities; Zoe, the youngest Shannon sibling, is 'illegal' according to a limit on the number of children per family. Two years later, Jim is in prison and the family faces permanent separation as Elisabeth has been recruited to join Terra Nova - a colony living 85 billion years in the past. Not only must she leave her husband but also her illegal youngest child. Some mild action ensues and ultimately the family is reunited in the past.

The idyllic Terra Nova colony is run by Commander Nathaniel Taylor (Stephen Lang - Conan the Barbarian (2011), Avatar) who welcomes the newcomers with a stirring speech. The family starts to settle into their new life consisting of light, space and wholesome hard work. But paradise is not as perfect as it seems, with dangers and mysteries lurking in the jungle.

Like a new-born Bambi struggling to find his feet, Terra Nova stumbles clumsily to establish the characters and the rules of the fictional world they inhabit. The imprisonment of Jim and the resulting jail-break is tagged on simply to make the family's transit to the past more dramatic, yet an exploration of how the family might feel conflicted about going back in time is almost completely ignored, with only a fleeting goodbye between the eldest son, Josh, and his girlfriend to hint that it is anything other than an easy decision. As a result, "Genesis Part 1" falls flat and seems like an uncessary afterthought that represents opportunities missed in the rush to get to 'the dinosaur bit'.

"Genesis Part 2" is somewhat more successful, hinting at possible future plot developments and introducing 'The Sixers', a band of rebels who were once part of the Terra Nova colony, that have struck out on their own. There is a suggestion too, that Commander Taylor knows more than he is revealing and that there is a wider mystery to be solved. "Part 2" also introduces some potentially intriguing characters, including the leader of The Sixers, Mira (Christine Adams - The Whole Truth, TRON: Legacy), and Skye, a young independant loner who lost her family to illness after coming to Terra Nova. To its detriment, however, the second episode continues some of the awkward storytelling of the first, as the audience is subjected to a chain of trite scenes, including the 'stroppy teen' scene and the 'feeding the Brachiosaur' scene. These meaningless, off-the-shelf storytelling modules occupy screentime that would have been better spent giving explanations for some of the characters' actions: even by the end of the second episode, it's unclear why a Jim and Elisabeth Shannon, a respected police officer and successful doctor, would break the law and have their third child. My only hope is that this, and other unanswered questions, might be explored in later episodes.

There are also a few wider problems that go beyond plot and characterisation. Unfortunately, Jurassic Park is so ingrained into pop-culture that it dominates the sub-genre. As a result, it's difficult to watch Terra Nova without expecting Jeff Goldblum to coming running out of the tree line with a flare in his hand. In addition, while Stephen Lang is an accomplished actor, in the same way that the ghost of Jurassic Park is ever-present, so the spectre of his character in Avatar hangs over Lang's performance. The character is, in many respects, very different - Taylor is less brutal and more developed than Avatar's Colonel Quaritch - but it is hard not to see the latter in Terra Nova. Similarly unsettling is the casting of Jason O'Mara as Jim Shannon. His face is now so closely associated with the failed US version of Life on Mars, that it's Sam Tyler on the screen instead of Jim Shannon. Only time will tell if Terra Nova is able to step beyond the shadow of it's bigger Jurassic brother, and if Lang and O'Mara are able to shake off their past performances to make their roles distinctive.

In one final disappointment, while the creatures of Terra Nova are brought to life using superb computer imagery this quality of CGI is strangely lacking in other areas; one particular scene used some of the worst green-screen effects of recent years and at times the experience was like watching a computer game rather than a big-budget TV show. Indeed, some of the CGI has more in common with Stargate SG:1 episodes from the late nineties, than with the bang-up-to-date effects used for the dinosaurs.

So all in all, a rather disappointing first outing for Terra Nova. However, none of its problems are insurmountible and it shows signs that it can improve. The concern is that if Bambi doesn't find his feet quick enough, he will face the axe. TV execs are reknowned for their lack of patience, which is particularly worrying if rumours about the amount of money being plowed into Terra Nova's production are accurate.

Terra Nova is currently being aired in the UK on Sky1 and Sky1HD on Mondays at 8pm

NaBloPoMo Day 4 - The Little Pub That Could

In the news today is the story of pub landlady, Karen Murphy, who took on football's English Premier League and broadcaster, BSkyB, in the High Court. Karen Murphy had used a Greek TV broadcast to show Premier League football matches on the TV in her Red White and Blue pub in Portsmouth, at a cost of £118 per month instead of the usual £480 fee payable to Sky. When she was prosecuted for breaching Copyright rules, she had to pay £8,000 in fines, but she took her case to the High Court. Today comes the news that the European Court of Justice, to which the case had been referred for guidance, has said that national laws that prohibit the import, sale or use of foreign decoder cards and equipment are contrary to the free European market. It's not quite a victory, as the High Court will now have to review the case and make a final decision, but it's a big step. But what does this ruling mean for broadcasters?

Sky, ESPN and the Premier League stand to lose out on a proportion of their income from the sport of football if the High Court upholds ECJ guidance, as there is the potential that many private individuals as well as venues like pubs might make a move to a cheaper foreign subscription service. At the very least, the ruling could have an impact on how the broadcast rights for Premier League football are sold in the EU, but there is a wider implication for other types of broadcast and to film distribution as well, where rights are sold on a country by country basis.

There is, however, a potential grace for broadcasters in that ultimately the High Court might only apply the ruling to sport and even then, with certain caveats. In the details of the ruling, the ECJ said that copyright rules did not apply to football matches as live sport is not consider "works" requiring copyright protection. It seems, however, that any on screen graphics and pre-recorded content are included in copyright rules and as such, pubs may still need to have permission (through the use of an authorised broadcaster) in order to show matches including this kind of content.

Either way, it is certainly an interesting development that could change the face of broadcasting live sport, and possibly other content too. And at the end of the day, I wonder who will remember that the changes are the result of one woman's fight against these huge organisations, and that it all started in the Red White and Blue pub in Portsmouth?

NaBloPoMo Day 2 - The Blackadder Five

Surely, every Brit over the age of about 20, thinks fondly upon the various incarnations of the BBC comedy series, Blackadder. It was a series that lasted only four years (a blip when you consider the long run of some other shows) and made only around 24 episodes, yet it's influence extends far and wide; even friends in Europe and the States have seen and fallen in love with it.

For those of you that are not familiar with the show, each season was set in a different historic period, reincarnating the same characters in slightly different guises. The first season, "The Black Adder", was set at the end of the Medieval period. The second season, "Blackadder II", was set during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The third season, "Blackadder The Third", was set during the Regency period. And the final, and most accomplished season, "Blackadder Goes Forth", was set during the first world war. Each outing followed the misadventures of Edmund Blackadder, whose personal fortune waned as his wit and intelligence increased through history. He was always accompanied by his loveable, yet dimwitted man-servant/crony, Baldrick, whose lack of personal hygiene was commensurate with his lack of intelligence. Plaguing our leading man was usually a person of elevated but undeserved rank or position. Hugh Laurie's Prince Regent was particularly memorable to me, as was Miranda Richardson's Queen Elizabeth I (fondly referred to as Queenie), who had a propensity to strop like a five year old at the drop of a hat.

It is somewhat difficult to explain the charm of these characters or the spell that the series cast, but charming and spellbinding it was, as well as being somehow quintessentially British. It was as thought provoking as it was side-splittingly funny and the final episode of the final series stills calls forth a tear with its poignancy.

So why write about this now? Well, if Internet rumour is to be believed (and it often isn't) a fifth season may be on the way. Rowan Atkinson himself has been reported to have said that "Generally speaking, Blackadder seemed to work best when there was a sort of claustrophobic world and a hierarchy. So if you can think of any situations in which they are dominant – then I think there is a possibility of a fifth series." (Mail Online, 1st October 2011)

So as I head off to bed tonight, I am hoping that this particular Internet rumour might pan out and we might be rewarded with a fifth series set sometime between the end of the first world war and the present day (or even the future?) Personally, I could see Blackadder stalking London's streets in the 80s, but there is so much fun to be had with the past. Rumour has it that Tony Robinson would like to make "The Blackadder Five" set in the 60s and following the misfortunes of a five piece rock band of the same name. Presumably Blackadder would be the unfortunate frontman of the group while Robinson's 'Bald Rick' would be the unhygienic and slow-witted drummer.

In any event, I think it might be time to get out the Blackadder DVD boxset and get watching again.

Making Your Mind Up

If you watched X-Factor at the weekend, you will probably number among the thousands (if not millions!) of people that were outraged that contestant Gamu Nhengu wasn't chosen to go through to the live finals. The question is, how far do you take it?

There's a lot being written at the moment about the decisions made on the Sunday night show. Firstly, I'm reasonably happy with the judges' choices in all three categories. There are some contestants I would have put through - Diva Fever were so much more interesting than 1 Direction - and some I would not. But ultimately, I feel the quality is quite high so it's hard for me to be too angry. However, I was just as disappointed as the rest of the nation to find Gamu cast out of the show.

Not only is Gamu stand-out talented but she also had a unique sound and image, unlike a couple of the other girls. Although I liked all the girls, personally, I would have put Gamu through in place of Katie Waissel. Of all the girls, Katie was the only one who completely buckled under the pressure. Cher Lloyd also failed to perform, but had serious tonsilitis and should not have been singing or even speaking. She tried and in doing so put her voice at risk of damage. I believe that shows enough committment to warrant her place in the final. Katie's performance, however, came on the back of a poor first audition and left me with concerns about her stability as a contestant and her ability to perform on the live show week after week. Gamu had no such problem and showed maturity and poise; traits that she has demonstrated consistently throughout the process thus far.

Having said that, over the last couple of days I have been pretty horrified to hear and read about the outlandish reaction of some viewers of the show. When I heard people had actually complained to ITV and to Broadcasting Standards, I thought it a sad reflection on the attitude of people to the business of entertainment. Boys and girls: It may come as a surprise to you, but X-Factor is a business! When I read online that the show's producers were working with the police to investigate death threats against Cheryl Cole, I was horrified!

Those who make and are involved in the show have no committment to you other than to provide a product that appeals to enough people to make it commercially viable. They don't owe you anything and - at this stage - their choices are their own and don't need to be justified to you, the audience. Get over it! Grow up! Put it in perspective: In a couple of years' time, the name Gamu Nhengu will be all but forgotten. (Unless, of course, she's returns for a second crack at it - which I hope she will.)

Obviously this sort of backlash is unfounded and, quite frankly, ridiculous. What further annoys me is the public response to the revelation that Gamu and her family have been instructed to leave the country or risk deportation. I have read all sorts of bizarre comments from 'it's terrible that Gamu lost out because she doesn't have a visa' to 'why let Gamu's mother claim benefits when she's not entitled to them' to outright 'let them stay' (for no reason other than liking Gamu). There is a propensity in this country, although we are not alone in the tendancy, to blame everything on immigration or immigrants: People who can't get a job often sit back and blame it on foreigners 'taking our jobs'; problems with the NHS get blamed on immigrants coming for free health care and stretching the system; sometimes people even try to pin social problems like bringe drinking or yob culture on 'foreign influences'. When I then find the general public advocating a softening of the rules for special cases, I find myself intensely frustrated. The Home Office is apparently 'damned if they do and damned if they don't'

I feel bad that Gamu and her family may be forced to return to Zimbabwe. It's one of the few places in the world that I really wouldn't want to live. However, a visa was granted based upon certain conditions and rules. If you break the rules you lose the visa. It's not complicated and it shouldn't be complicated. Gamu's mother took money from the state that she wasn't entitled to. I'm sad that she hasn't got a more stable country to return to, and that her children, who have made lives for themselves here will have to leave it behind, but that is where my sympathy ends.

So, am I disappointed that Gamu isn't going to be in the live shows? Sure am! Will I avoid watching or avoid supporting other contestants because of it? Sure won't! At the end of the day, I watch X-Factor to be entertained and I will continue to watch up to the point it is no longer doing so.

15 Minutes of Fame

Hrrmm, 29th of June. That was the last time I posted. Two and a half months... before I know where I am it will be 2011! The reason for my long blogging absence? Don't Stop Believing!

I have posted about Sing Live a couple of times before. I started singing with the Sing Live North West choir last April and have since sung with them three times at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and I have also sung at the fabulous Royal Albert Hall in London. Every time I perform the experience gets better, so much so that I constantly ask myself how each performance can be topped. But somehow, it always is. This summer has been no different.

I think it was back in April when a group of singers from Sing Live Merseyside, Sing Live North West and Sing Live North East gathered in a car park in Gosforth (because we couldn't get into the Civic Centre that had been booked for the occasion) to audition for a new TV show to be broadcast on Five. None of us really expected to get through, but we got the 'call' at the end of June, inviting us to perform on and spent July preparing for our fifteen minutes of fame.

I often wondered about the experiences of TV show contestants, like those on X-Factor. In interviews, they all seem to spout wonderful things about how close they are as a group, and how much they enjoy the experience. I used to suspect that it was bluster. Exaggeration. Turns out, it's not.

Performing with Sing Live on Don't Stop Believing is probably the single coolest and most exciting experiences of my life so far. There are something in the region of 4,000 Sing Live members spread across 11 companies in the UK and USA but the eighty-five of us that performed live on TV are part of an exclusive club. We are ambassadors for the company we love, and for the 4,000 members who weren't able to sing with us. We did get to know each other really well, having spent days at a time together, and while there were occasional upsets, everyone was very supportive of each other. It was a privilege and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for which I will be perpetually grateful.

It's impossible to fully explain what it felt like to be part of the experience. Many people have asked if I was nervous - no I really wasn't, I was excited. Standing on the stage, head down, waiting for the music to start, was incredible. Thinking of the millions of people watching at home, including friends and family that were probably just as excited as me, and probably more nervous, was empowering. And if I thought there was a buzz before we went on stage, it was nothing compared to the buzz coming off stage after performing. The atmosphere was exhilarating. I felt a bond with the rest of the group that I have never felt before, and I would gladly give my right arm to do it again. Although I don't think that would make for good choreography.

If you would like to see how I spent my summer, you can watch the show in full by clicking here, or you can watch our main performance and the judges comments by clicking here. I hope you enjoy it. It's also worth saying that we're not a special group of Sing Live members that are better than others; we're not all amazing performers. We are ordinary people.

Anyone can join Sing Live and there are no auditions to sing with us. If you would like to be part of one of our performances, there is nothing stopping you. :o)

Fun Stuff

OK, so serious stuff is over and done with now it's time for the lighter side.

First, I am now inhumanly excited about the new Star Trek movie. I remained so sceptical for so long but now I simply can't wait. Simon Pegg was on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross last night, which only served to inflame my quiet hysteria. I think I might have to book us some tickets for the premiere - preferrably on IMAX! Oddly, after watching Friday Night... I also have a strange compulsion to go and see the Hannah Montana movie. I think Miley Cyrus has been exercising so sort of new hypnosis technique on me: The clue was probably the repeated shouts of "See my movie!" in hilarious fashion throughout Ross' show.

I recently found (or rather, was alerted to) a 'new' TV channel which I have been enjoying recently. Rocks & Co (Sky Channel 642) are modelled on the long running Gems TV (broadcasting on Sky, V irgin and Freesat) in that they offer a range of gemset jewellery in 'Reverse Auctions'. Basically they start at a ridiculous price and 'crash' to a lower, more realistic price and generally keep dropping until they hit the lowest price that they want to sell that item for. It's essentially a game of chicken: which viewer will 'blink' first and buy? If interested in something, the longer you wait the lower the price, but also the greater the chance that someone else will get there first. You can almost hear the masses reaching for the phone with one hand and the 'plastic' with the other! Whether you buy anything at any given time is up to you - I rarely purchase this sort of thing for myself, but tend to buy jewellery for my Mum - but what I'm loving at the moment is the 'window shopping'experience. Rocks & Co have some fabulous gemstones in sizes, quality and varieties that most people will rarely get the chance to see. I highly recommend it but make sure you lock the credit card away first. They have a ring resizing service, but much to my dismay have thus far been unable to resize my credit card! That 27ct Rubellite will have to wait.

Finally, Thursday nights is now music night for me. I have my piano lesson straight after work and then from there I head straight out to Bolton for choir practice! After careful consideration I decided to join SingLiveUK, who recruit amatuer singers for events that they organise all over the UK, and sometimes overseas too. (There is a group at the Vatican this weekend!) I'll be taking part in the performance of Sing The Music of the Big Bands at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester on June 28th. Tickets are available online from https://www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk or direct from SingLiveUK. Personally, I am very excited and can't wait to get back into singing after 12 years of musical silence! We'll be performing some of my personal favourites made famous by the likes of the Rat Pack and, more recently for the younger generation, Michael Buble and Robbie Williams. Incidentally, I will also be the third person in my immediate family to give a musical performance to a public audience: My Granny was a violinist for the Halle Orchestra many years ago and my Dad performed a few years ago at the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness.