Soapstar Superstar

[Beanie]

Better stick this up while I remember:

Christmas and New Year will be over, so what else to inspire us other than Soapstar Superstar?

Every soap fan's favourite reality show returns on Friday 5th January 2007, hosted by Zoe Ball.

Corrie stars Antony Cotton (Sean Tully), Jane Danson (Leanne Battersby) and Tupele Dorgu (Kelly Crabtree) are all taking part in the ultimate sing-off.

They'll be joined by Verity Rushworth (Donna Windsor-Dingle), Hayley Tamaddon (Delilah Dingle) and Matthew Wolfenden (David Metcalfe) from Emmerdale.

Gemma Atkinson (Lisa Hunter, Hollyoaks: In The City), Leon Lopez (Tank Top, Hollyoaks: In The City and Brookside), Alan Fletcher (Dr. Karl Kennedy, Neighbours), Mark Furze (Eric ‘Ric' Dalby, Home and Away), Elaine Lordan (Lynne Hobbs, Eastenders) are also hoping to wow us with their warbling.

Contestants will be competing for the series crown AND a cash donation to the charity of their choice.

Last year saw Richard Fleeshman thrilled critics and fans alike with his spectacular crooning.

The Lee Otway bet from last year still haunts me, but with a couple of nice touches on the evictions and the show sure to follow the standard ridiculous headline seeking booting offs there will be plenty money to be made.

First point to remember is that its ITV and so Corrie Street/Emmerdale entrants will get every chance - if any of them can sing then they'll walk it.

After Richard Fleeshman's 'imminent superstar' career failed to materialise last time round(still time I suppose), they might be looking to properly launch someone this time round, and will need someone marketable to do so.

That narrows it down a bit - the ones from other channels - particularly the home and away entry, will have to be extra extra special to win it.

Good to see Doctor Karl in there too - a good singer and performer, well loved, but unfortunately for him his cult following is mainly made up of lazy students who will be either too lazy or too skint to vote. Stranger things have happened tho. Look forward to the odds.

[stereoman]

Skybet are first up...

[Beanie]

Hmmm...tricky to know where to start when you don't know how well they can sing, whereas you can bet Skybet have had a full briefing.

First off its a surprise to see Fletcher at fav - ok he already has a fanbase/cult following, and has been performing for years, but as I mentioned that following is likely to be heavily outnumbered by the Corrie Street/Emmerdale watching public who are more likely to support a face they know, and further are more likely than Fletch's lazier fans to pick up the phone and vote. So on that one I'm not convinced.

Apparently the Home and Away lad has a theatre background and is in 2 bands(punk and heavy metal ones) so unless he completely sells out and does wishy washy ballads he's no chance.

Likewise that Leon chap is a singer/songwriter too but however good he is there's way too much counting against him here(rnb orientated, black, C4 lad.) Still he should survive a while(listening to him just now and voice is ok) so hopefully the bookies will make some mistakes there.

Atkinson is the totty but can't see any mention of her singing ability anywhere so like Sammi Winward last time she should disappear early.

I assume Hayley's shortish odds means she can sing a bit.

Mmmm...Unrealitytv.co.uk has interviews with everyone. Matthew has done a bit of musical theatre, will get the womens votes, is on Emmerdale - ticks all the boxes there, and yet is priced as an outsider. That looks the early value IMO and I'll be looking to get on beforehand.

[Beanie]

Starting day draws near...my thoughts currently stand like this...

Fletcher too short - theres so many ITV folk in there atleast one or two should be danger.

Lordan is the obvious choice to go first but Atkinson could be a decent outside bet for the honour - not well known on ITV, admits she cant sin and Sammi Winward proved last year that looks guarantees you nothing on this show as she went first.

Not sure which act will be the Chico/McDonald Brothers/Chefs of this competition but that should become obvious fairly early on.

Wolfenden could provide early value and I'll be on him at 19s(!) with totesport before the off - even if he cant sing he'll survive long enough to allow a lay at near enough that price...and if he can he's got all the other boxes ticked and could line my pockets with silver.

[Kop66]

I dont want to watch this Beanie but she's going to be having it on, so i guess i might as well have a few quid on. How long does it run for and how many nights a week?

Poofs normally give there all when it comes to singing so i'll have a few quid on mincemeat @ 9/2 i think.

No i'll wait and see how the first round goes.

[Beanie]

Every single night Kop - thats why its so good. No waiting around for weeks for your dosh. Only on for just over a week.

Gonna do some reading up on the people tomorrow - the messageboards in various places have some hints as to their singing talents.

You'll get a good run for your money on mincemeat Kop - housewives favourite and an absolute certainty for top 4 regardless of singing ability.

[Kop66]

i'll give it a go then Beanie if its just the week, i'll need to find the winner though cause i've got Big Brother to feed.

The outsider Lordan, she still an alky? If she's a half decent voice could she could end up winning a few sympathy votes along the way, could help her revive a bit of tv career somewhere or can we write her off already?

[stereoman]

The Racing Post is tipping Dr. Karl to win it! Jane Danson and Matthew Wolfenden as saver bets.

http://www.bettingzone.co.uk/story_g...al_225849.html

[Beanie]

I agree as far as Wolfenden goes and might have to have another look at Danson.

I just don't see Fletch doing songs that will please such a wishy washy voting public tho - he'll be crooning out some classic tunes(and quite well probably) while all the voters will want is a Whitney ballad to have a wee cry to or some 'Its raining men' (step forward mincemeat) to jive round their handbags.

Not at that price anyway.

3pts Wolfenden @ 18/1 with Totesport

Hmm...eviction needs more thought so I'll leave that for tomorro night.

[Beanie]

Oh bollocks and bugger...where did the 18/1 go...into 12/1 at totesport

17/1 at Laddies will have to do.

[Beanie]

Betfair markets up.

Wolfenden into a best bookie price of 12/1 :loon

Eviction wise none of the ITV soapstars will go, same with Fletch...so that leaves us down to the following:

Home and Away lad
Leon
Gemma
Elaine

As rubbish as Elaine will be, she could prove to be the Chico/McDonald Bros type act in this show, and at the very least the voters know who she is.

For the other three - they better hae good voices otherwise they are in big trouble. If any hits a bum not early I'll be on as quick as possible, but from what I've read my guess is that the 2 men can sing and Gemma cant.

For that reason I'll try and get on Gemma to go first at a tasty price - nowt matched yet tho.

[Beanie]

Mmm bit of a gamble seems to be forming on Mark Furze on betfair - not much of one but a few people nibbling at the price. However good a singer he is he's at a huge disadvantage here in terms of fanbase, but a decent voice might just give him a chance. One to get on early is he starts well.

[Beanie]

Here we go...and err...looks like just me for the 2nd year running

Panel looks ok - has to be better than last year when not one gave a single negative comment during the entire series.

Delilah wummin up first...

[Beanie]

Good performance - strong if uninspiring voice, looks chirpy, will deffo be around for a good while.

Early start but safe as houses. Mincemeat up next - likewise easily safe despite early slot.

[Hippy Dave]

Fuck, this is dull compared to Just The Two Of Us - this lot can actually sing.