[LEE]

I'm obviously on my own here in liking Rosie. :grin:

I didn't see the show on Saturday so I don't know how she performed then, I'm only going on past performance, however I still think her voice is amazing, she isn't my favourite out of the whole group, but I still think she is the best girl.

[Kaz]

Looks like Rik could well be out of Pop Idol - latest story from The Sun:

ROLY-POLY Pop Idol wannabe RIK WALLER is out of the show, says his father. Dad Kris told me the sickly singer has not responded to treatment for a throat bug. And short of a last-minute miracle, the 20st TV star will not be well enough for Saturday's show.

Riki pulled out of last weekend's heat after falling ill. Pop Idol bosses told him he could stay in the running if he is fit enough to perform this weekend.

Rival DARIUS DANESH, rejected in an earlier heat, is standing in the wings to take his place.

But Kris said: "Rik is not improving and isn't well enough to sing. I know it's Christmas and a time for miracles, but it is not going to happen. We have seen one of the best voice specialists and he says it won't be better for seven to ten days. It looks like it's over. We will know for definite on Thursday."

Speaking from their home in Gillingham, Kent, Kris added: "It's sad but I'm a realist. I would urge anyone who's thinking of betting on him — don't. The other contestants have been very supportive and Darius told us he did not want to get on the show like this."

Kris reckons Rik will still be able to land a record deal. He said: "I think Rik is the people's champion. He might not be a Pop Idol but I am convinced that he will be selling music for the next 40 years. The public know who he is and I don't think the fact he hasn't won it will count against him. I am confident there will be a demand for him."

Like the other contestants, Rik is contracted for three months after leaving the show to 19 Management, run by Spice Girls guru Simon Fuller and BMG Records, under judge Simon Cowell.

Popstars reject Darius claims he saved the heavyweight from the axe last week.
He told me he talked ITV bosses around after they had decided to boot Rik off the show. He said: "I had a chat with the producer Nigel Lythgoe, who I knew from Popstars and told him I didn't think it was fair to kick Rik out. He had done so well to get this far, it would have been a shame if he missed out now.

"Everyone felt the same so Nigel had a word. Rik owes me one. I would feel bad if I got in but he knows it's only fair if he's not better by the weekend."

--------------------------------------

What a terrible shame for Rik.

[LEE]

It is a huge shame. After working so hard and getting so far to have to withdraw cos of illness.

I hope he does get other offers because I think he deserves a career in music. Perhaps it is for the best. He has a wonderful voice but if he succeeds without the constraints of the show he will be able to do what music he chooses. The eventual Pop Idol winner will have very little control over his music and how he/she is presented.

Good Luck Rik

[Feefs]

I'm being cynical I'm thinking that he probably won't come back, even if his voice is better. I think it's unlikely that he would win this show, but that doesn't mean he isn't popular enough to have a successful recording career. This way, he can avoid the negative press that comes with being voted off, and that will inevitably come with a show like this. He can rise above any bickering, and will probably get some sympathy for missing out.

The sort of contract they have in mind for the winner wouldn't suit him, so I think he should stay out. Plus, it would mean we'd get to see Darius again. I don't think he'll win either, but he's good entertainment. I'd like to see him with some kind of recording contract too, but I think he needs a few more weeks with stylists, and voice-coaches to help him on his way to a less cheesy future.

I think the public also need to see more of him without the dodgy facial hair. I missed him mouthing 'I love you mum' to the camera, so I'll be glued to my tv hoping for a repeat. :lol:

It is such a shame that Rik might not be able to perform - after all the campaigns, the proving wrong, the hard work and Darius waltz's in and takes his place! Its not fair and I am praying for a miracle for Rik!

[Mark]

Did anyone actually get the email campaign??? Id love to see a copy if any one has it!!!

Mark

[Mairi]

My favourites on Saturday were: Rik, Gareth, Jessica, William and Korben and look what happened to Korben!

On Lorraine, a week or so ago, Helen said she liked Gareth best.

There's a long way to go yet, weeks and weeks, so it's early days to go for an outright favourite. I'll let you know later!

[Janette]

I'm going to give my prediction now, Aaran will go this week and William will win the whole thing.

Oh my god, I've just jinxed them both :xmas:

[Feefs]

It's Christmas songs tonight. What do you think they'll all be singing?

If Darius is singing, this will be a fantastic opportunity to cheese it up. But being Christmas, can Simon complain?:lol:

[Janette]

Does anyone know if Rik is on tonight or Darius? I know Rik was seeing his specialist on Thursday but there's been nothing on teletext about it

[Mark]

I think its Darius.....

Ill post up the results as soon as its over!

Mark

[Janette]

I totally stand by my previous prediction

[Kaz]

Janette, I agree totally with you in that I would like Will to win!

Tonight I think either Aaron or Laura will go.

[Mark]

Im going to have to disagree with you....

I think Zoe and Jessica should win. I don't really like Will at all.

Thats probably cos im a bloke though!
I just don't like his style of singing that's all!

Mark

[Janette]

Yup, it's because you're a bloke!

[Mark]

The judges predicitions to go were

Pete Waterman = Laura
Nicky = Jessica
Foxy = Jessica

The results were as follows

Bottom three were Laura, Rosie and Jessica.

Jessica was voted off.......

Do you think she deserved to go? I don't think she should have....

Mark

[LEE]

Even though I did like how Jessica sang tonight, I have never really been a fan. In previous heats I haven't rated her much at all.

However if it went on tonights performance I would have voted Hayley out. Obviously no-one else agreed though.

I voted for Darius. I almost voted for Will cos I always think he's good, but there was something about the way Darius sang tonight, I thought he was excellent.

[Janette]

I'm absolutely amazed that the general public thought Aaron and Gareth were better than Rosie and Jessica! Jessica has a good voice and sang well, Rosie sang well even though I'm not that keen on her I wouldn't have put her in the bottom three.
Aaron I thought was a bit flat and his dancing left a lot to be desired. And please, if everyone is brutally honest, Gareth just hasn't got a strong enough voice to win the competition. He's getting the sympathy vote and I don't think that is helping him at all.
I watched the programme open minded, yes even to Will who I think is wonderful!, and I would have voted off Laura or Aaron simply because they didn't sing very well. But never mind, next week they'll have another go and we'll see what happens then.

[Kaz]

Well, I was wrong again about who would be voted off! I must admit though, even though Jessica has a good voice, she doesn't really stand out or have anything different about her. Laura has personality by the bucketload, and that's what's carrying her through, IMHO.

Incidentally, I was watching ITV2 after the result was announced, and heard Kate Thornton compare Laura to Paul from Big Brother, in that she had now survived two nominations for eviction!!

:santa: :santa:

[LEE]

Hi Kaz

I heard the Paul comparison as well, made me smile. :santa:

My two faves are Zoe and I like Will - either of them winning would make me smile!
Zoe has an excellent voice for her age, theres no getting away from it and Will is unique and a perfect gentleman!
I dont think Jess should have gone last night; Laura should have! Sorry, she is sweet but she isnt brilliant!

Ananova :



Pop Idol evictee 'may form reject band'

Pop Idol's Jessica Garlick says she might form a 'Flop Idols' band containing rejects from the TV show.

But the 20-year-old thinks the band members will fight for the limelight.

She was voted off the ITV talent show last night.

Jessica said: "I'd give it a go. I think we'd certainly sell - people would buy anything we put out after the amount of exposure we've had.

"But I'm not sure how we'd blend or how we'd look together. We'd probably fight for attention.

"We would all want to sing the lead ourselves. There's a reason why we are all solo performers."

She was left fighting back tears last night after being told she had attracted the fewest telephone votes.

Her performance of Shakin' Stevens' Merry Christmas Everyone was praised by judges but was not strong enough to secure her a place in the next round.

Story filed: 14:56 Sunday 23rd December 2001

What do we think of this one?

[Mark]

Pop Idol has just been on....

The three on the sofa of doom this week were:-

1) Laura
2) Aaron
3) Rosemary

The person that was voted off was.....

Aaron.

Do you think it should have been Aaron?

[LEE]

Yes, I do. I really liked Aaron in the earlier stages, but the last few weeks he's been bland and hasn't really impressed me at all. He has a good voice but doesn't have the charisma to be a pop idol.

I know I'm on my own here in liking Rosie, but I am so glad she didn't go this evening. I'll admit that the last couple of weeks she hasn't sung as well as she can, but I stand by my earlier comments about the quality of her voice.

I couldn't decide who to vote for this evening, so I voted 3 times - for Darius, Zoe, and also for Rosie as I guessed she wouldn't be very popular tonight and I really wanted her to stay.

Who did you guys vote for.

[Janette]

I've not been a major fan of Zoe but she was amazing tonight, I voted for her and Will. I was glad Aaron was voted off because he's probably been the weakest of all over the weeks.
I have to admit that I thought Rosie would go tonight, she didn't sing well and she looked very uncomfortable.
I think the last 2 will be Zoe and Will, I don't want to choose between them though, the last week is going to be awful for the loser!