News from Ananova at lunchtime today:
Big Rik pulls out of Pop Idol
Rik Waller has pulled out of Pop Idol after losing his voice. He will be replaced by Darius Danesh. Darius has been drafted in because he came third in Rik's heat.
A Pop Idol spokeswoman told Ananova that Rik is very disappointed at losing out on the chance of becoming a pop star. He had hinted that he may be forced to pull out of the competition because of a sore throat at a press conference earlier this week.
The spokeswoman said: "Rik has seen a throat specialist and he has no other option but to pull out. His part in the competition is over."
The first of Pop Idol's ten final heats is on ITV1 tomorrow at 6.05pm. One hopeful will be voted off the show every week, until the public are left with just two finalists to choose from.
HOWEVER........ another story filed at 15.40 today:
Show's not over for Pop Idol's Big Rik
Rik Waller may still be able to take part in the final of Pop Idol. It was thought the contestant would have to pull out altogether after losing his voice. But after consulting a throat specialist, Rik has announced he might be fit enough to perform on the ITV show next week. It means there will only be nine contestants in the first of Pop Idol's 10 final heats this Saturday.
A Pop Idol spokeswoman told Ananova they want to give Rik every chance. She said: "If Rik rests his voice he may be all right to continue. He's very hoarse and need to rest. I'd say it's 50/50. "It means there will be only nine contestants in this week's heat. It's unfortunate but the only way to do it." If Rik is not well enough to perform the following week, he will be replaced by Darius Danesh, who came third in Rik's round of auditions.
Rik said: "I am absolutely over the moon. It's good to be given the chance to get better so I can show people what I can do." And in a joking reference to the 1970s rocking toys, he added: "Weebles wobble but they don't fall down."
Darius said: "Rik's a tremendous guy and I'm really, really sorry to hear he's too ill to perform on this Saturday's show. I'm happy to be Rik's stand-in if his illness persists. We get on really well. I'm sure he'll get enough rest to put him back on his feet and entertain us with that voice of his."
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Poor Rik!!!
I think he's fabulous (although I think Darius is great too), and would hate him to lose out because of this. Get better soon, Rik. :xmas: