Over The Rainbow: The 10 Dorothy hopefuls unveiled as one more 'wild card' bids for public vote

By Emily Sheridan

Then there were 10: (L-R) Lauren Samuels, Bronte Barbe, Dani Rayner, Amy Diamond, Stephanie Davis, Danielle Hope, Sophie Evans, Jessica Robinson, Steph Fearon and Jenny Douglas celebrate being in the finals

The search for a new West End star has seen 9,000 whittled down to 54, then to 20.

But last night, the judges on new BBC show Over The Rainbow had one of their hardest challenges - halving the 20 to just 10 hopefuls in a matter of minutes.

Led by Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber, the judging panel decided on the 10 wannabe stars they hoped may play the role of Dorothy in a new theatre production of The Wizard Of Oz.

But the 10 not chosen still have the chance to sing in the upcoming live shows when the public get to choose an additional 11th finalist, dubbed the 'wild card', to be unveiled next week.

Lord Lloyd-Webber and fellow judges Charlotte Church, Sheila Hancock and John Partridge made their decision after watching all 20 contestants perform two songs each in groups of four.

Among the final 10 is former Page 3 girl Amy Diamond, 22, who impressed the judges with her second song If They Could See Me Now from Sweet Charity.
John said: 'Amy, you nailed the choreography. You gave all the razzle dazzle.'





Opinionated: Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Charlotte Church gave honest feedback to the 20 Dorothys


Big decisions: Host Graham Norton talks to the judging panel, including Lord Lloyd-Webber, Church, John Partridge and Sheila Hancock


Church agreed: 'Amy was pretty slick and gave the better overall performance.'
While Lord Lloyd-Webber acknowledged Amy was talented, he 'wasn't sure you could be Dorothy'.

Another finalist is Welsh redhead Sophie Evans, 17, who reality TV fans may remember from the 2008 series of The X Factor when she made it through to boot camp.
Sophie made a good impression last night in both her pop and musical performances.


Pin up: Former Page 3 girl Amy Diamond received good praise for her second performance


After singing The Noisettes' Never Forget You, John said: 'You Sophie, you came out and you packed some punch.'

The musical performance, a show-stopping sequence of All That Jazz from Chicago, received an accolade from Lord Lloyd-Webber: 'Sophie you are a real talent.'

Sophie's group was the most successful of the night, with three out of four guaranteed a place in the final 11.

Scouse brunette Stephanie Davis, 17, was told she 'popped right out of that stage' by Charlotte.


All That Jazz: Camille Mesnard, Sophie Evans, Stephanie Davis and Jessica Robinson sang the Chicago classic


And teammember Jessica Robinson, 18, made it through after upping her game in All That Jazz.

Dani Rayner, 16, the youngest member of the competition, was praised by Lord Lloyd-Webber for having 'something very special... I can see you as Dorothy'.

Charlotte described her performance of Taylor Swif'ts Love Story as 'absolutely fabulous, note perfect'.

Dani was the only one from her group to get through with Tasheka Coe, Philippa O'Hara and Sarah Middleton all singing again at the end of last night's show in the hope of becoming the wild card


Going country: (L-R) Tasheka Coe, Philippa O'Hara, Sarah Middleton and Dani Rayner sang Taylor Swift's Love Story


Racy in lace: (L-R) Jenny Douglas, Tegan Edwards, Steph Fearon and Emma Warren sing Pixie Lott's Cry Me Out


Londoner Steph Fearon, 21, whose mother Dee Galdes-Fearon is the lead singer of Nineties dance group Baby D, also got through, along with fellow teammember, blonde Scot Jenny Douglas, 18.

After singing Somebody To Love from the We Will Rock You musical, John told Jenny: 'Jenny you are bringing it home. You gave a great vocal and made the choreography work for you.'

Lord Lloyd-Webber agreed: 'Jenny you really surprised me. You were terrific tonight.'
Sheila praised Steph: 'I loved what you did.'


Surprise: Bronte Barbe (left) and Lauren Samuels react after they are told they're in the final 20


Their fellow teammembers Tegan Edwards, 17, and Irish dancing champion Emma Warren, 20, also sang again.

The two to survive from the next group were Bronte Barbe, 18, and Londoner Lauren Samuels, 22, who sang Duffy's I'm Gonna Rain On Your Parade and Legally Blonde from the musical of the same name.

Sheila warned Lauren to 'be careful of being a bit slick'.

Lord Lloyd-Webber said to Bronte: 'Bronte I think you've got something. I think Lauren you were pretty extraordinary too.'


If You Could See Me Now: Amy performed a song from Sweet Charity with Danielle Hope, Emilie Fleming and Claire Hillier


The last group to perform was Amy's group, who sang Rihanna's Take A Bow and If They Could See Me Now from Sweet Charity.

Danielle Hope, 17, from Manchester impressed the judges with her technical ability, with Charlotte describing her as 'polished'.

Despite receiving positive feedback form the judges, Emilie Fleming, 19, and Claire Hillier, 25, had to sing again.

Shiela singled Emilie out from the four as saying: 'You're the only one who could play Dorothy.'

Also on Saturday's show were West End mentors Ruthie Henshall, Kerry Ellis, Sheridan Smith, Melanie C and Tamzin Outhwaite, who all taught the contestants songs and dances from their current London productions.

• To find out which 11th Dorothy will make it to the next round, watch Over The Rainbow on BBC1 at 19:25 on Saturday 3rd April.


Mentors: (L-R) Kerry Ellis, Ruthie Henshall, Tamzin Outhwaite and Sheridan Smith






source: dailymail