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Critics slam Grease reality stars

Theatre critics have rounded on a West End production of Grease starring the winners of an ITV1 reality show.

Susan McFadden and Danny Bayne were crowned the winners of Grease Is The Word by a public vote in June.

But critics said their performances at the Piccadilly Theatre in London "lacked sincerity and sex appeal".

Former pop star Sinitta, who was a judge on the show, defended the duo, saying: "Eight or ten weeks ago they were amateurs. I was so proud tonight."

McFadden and Bayne play the lead roles of Sandy and Danny in the rock and roll show, stepping into the shoes of John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, who made the characters famous in the 1978 film

'Painfully limited'

Sarah Crompton, writing in the Daily Telegraph, said Bayne "made Travolta look like Olivier".

"Whatever qualities made people vote for them shrivel and fade in the spotlight's harsh glare," she added.

The Guardian's critic, Michael Billington, said McFadden "sings prettily, but has a painfully limited range of physical expression".

The supporting cast received a more favourable response, however, with Jayde Westaby receiving particular praise for her "bitchy" and "tart-tongued" portrayal of Rizzo.

But the show was branded "disappointingly short on dazzle" by Sam Marlowe in The Times.

"At no point do we care one iota what becomes of any of them or their teen romances," he said.

The audience were generally impressed with the show, with opinions ranging from "absolutely brilliant" to "big thumbs up".

Audience reaction

"When they sing, you just get shivers down your spine," one fan told the BBC.

Speaking after the performance, Bayne admitted he would be reading his reviews.

"I think it's only natural," he said. "I'd like to know everyone's opinion."

The performer added he would take the critics' views with a pinch of salt.

"When people come to see the show they always enjoy it - so it's just one person's opinion."

Source: The BBC