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I'd Do Anything (2008 TV series)

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I'd Do Anything
I'd Do Anything logo
Created byBea Ballard
Presented byGraham Norton
JudgesAndrew Lloyd Webber
John Barrowman
Denise Van Outen
Barry Humphries
Cameron Mackintosh
David Grindrod
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of series1
No. of episodes22
Production
Production locationBBC TVC - TC1
Running time30–90mins
Production companyBBC
Original release
NetworkBBC One, BBC HD
Release15 March (2008-03-15) –
31 May 2008 (2008-05-31)
Related

I'd Do Anything is a 2008 talent show-themed television series produced by the BBC in the United Kingdom and broadcast on BBC One.[1][2] It premièred on 15 March 2008.[3] The show centred on a search for a new, unknown lead to play Nancy and three young performers who would play Oliver Twist in the 2009 West End revival of the British musical Oliver!.[2]

The show, named after the Oliver! song "I'd Do Anything", was hosted by Graham Norton with Andrew Lloyd Webber again overseeing the programme,[4] together with theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh. In January 2008, John Barrowman confirmed he would be taking part in the show.[5] The BBC also confirmed in late February 2008 that Barry Humphries would join Barrowman and Denise Van Outen (who was previously the presenter of the US Broadway reality show Grease: You're the One that I Want!) on the judging panel of the show.[6][7]

Auditions for the show began in January 2008,[2] with the show airing on BBC One throughout March, April and May 2008.[8] In the final, on 31 May, Jodie Prenger was announced as the winner of the series.

Format

[edit]

Commissioned after the success of the two similar BBC series How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? and Any Dream Will Do, the series followed the same format to find a new unknown lead, but with two roles rather than one as in the previous two series. However, whilst the format for the Nancy was the same with the public choosing the winner, the three boys who would play the part of Oliver were chosen by the judging panel.[9]

Criteria

[edit]

Auditions took place in 2008; in Belfast on 24 January, Manchester on 26–27 January, London from 1 to 3 February and Glasgow on 6 February with auditions for both parts taking place at the same venues and dates.[8]

Nancy

For the role of Nancy applicants needed to be aged 17 or over on 1 January 2008, with the playing age being 17–35. Entry was open to both amateur and professional performers. Stages one and two were the same as for the part of Oliver. At stage three though, the call-backs took place between 16 and 18 February when the show's panel interviewed the auditionees. There were then workshops and final audition performances between 21 and 26 February; and throughout mid-March, April and May for the television show.[8] The "Nancys" had to impress the panel in the first two shows and, from programme three, they also had to gain viewer support to stay in with a chance of winning the role of Nancy.[3]

Oliver

For the role of Oliver applicants needed to be at least nine on 1 January 2008 and no older than 14 on 31 December 2008 with the part of Oliver being from nine to twelve years old.[8] The auditions were in two stages. Those who made it through to the second stage were filmed and then twelve young performers went through to stage three, the live television show where each week they learned a piece to perform on the show. Eight boys went through to the semi-final. Three boys were then chosen in the final stage, with one of the final three performing at the press night of Oliver![8] Following expert advice in providing a duty of care to child contributors, the BBC announced on 13 March that the boys would not face a public vote, and that each week the "Olivers" would be performing musical tasks, learning the tricks of the theatre trade and also perform as a group, before the judging panel make their final choices.[3][9]

Auditions

[edit]

The first programme, which aired on 15 March, charted the journeys of thousands of auditionees as they begin their quest for stardom in the regional auditions.[3]

For the role of Nancy, just over a hundred young women were called to London to perform before the panel, consisting of John Barrowman, Denise Van Outen and David Grindrod. Those who stood out then had the chance to win a place at Nancy School, the next stage in the competition. For the role of Oliver, 50 young boys were selected to work with musical theatre experts before the final twelve were chosen for the live shows by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh.[3]

The second programme, which aired on 22 March, focussed mainly on the 42 women at Nancy School and the procedure of finding the final twelve women to compete in the weekly live show for the part of Nancy. The twelve boys who would compete on the live show for the part of Oliver were also introduced throughout the programme.

Weekly format

[edit]
Saturday - Live

The show opens with a group number by the Nancys and Olivers. Each Nancy then performs a song, with feedback provided by the panel and Lloyd Webber. The public votes for the contestant they wish to keep in the show. Voting closes shortly after the broadcast of the Saturday programme.

Footage of the Olivers' progress is shown, during which Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh select one to proceed through to the semi-final.

Sunday - Recorded after live show on Saturdays.

The Oliver who was announced as a semi-finalist takes the lead with the other Olivers in a song. After the results of the public vote have been processed, the two Nancys with the fewest votes enter a "sing-off". Lloyd Webber then chooses which Nancy from the "sing-off" to save each week. The eliminated Nancy takes the lead in their sing-out medley of "Be Back Soon" and "As Long as He Needs Me".

Finalists

[edit]

Nancy

[edit]

Twelve potential Nancys made it through the audition rounds and performed during the live shows.[10][11] Each Nancy wore a unique coloured dress and a locket. At the end of every live show, the losing Nancy would have the locket stripped off by the Nancy who survived the singoff. In the final, on 31 May 2008, Jodie Prenger was announced as the winner.

Finalist Age * From Dress Colour Status
Amy Booth-Steel[12] 24 Birmingham Lime Green Eliminated 1st in week 1
Cleopatra "Cleo" Royer[13] 22 London Lilac Eliminated 2nd in week 2
Tara Bethan[14][15] 24 Conwy Orange Eliminated 3rd in week 3
Francesca Jackson[15][16] 24 West Glamorgan Baby Pink Eliminated 4th in week 4
Keisha Amponsa-Banson[17] 23 London Gold Eliminated 5th in week 5
Sarah Lark[15][18] 25 Glamorgan Pale Green Eliminated 6th in week 6
Ashley J Russell[19] 24 Falkirk Dark Blue Eliminated 7th in week 7
Niamh Perry[20] 17 Bangor, Northern Ireland Pink Eliminated 8th in week 8
Rachel Tucker[21] 26 Belfast Yellow Eliminated 9th in week 9
Samantha Barks[22] 17 Laxey, Isle of Man Blue 3rd Place (Eliminated in week 10)
Jessie Buckley[23] 18 Killarney, Ireland Dark Green Runner-up
Jodie Prenger[24][25] 28 Blackpool Purple Winner

* as of the start of the series

Oliver

[edit]

Twelve potential Olivers made it through the audition rounds and performed in the live shows.[26][27] Each Oliver was identified with a different coloured scarf, and during the first eight live shows, the Oliver who did best in the mission for that week made it through to the final eight. This Oliver would also receive a hat, and lead vocals in a performance with all the Olivers on the live show. Ultimately, Gwion Jones, Harry Stott and Laurence Jeffcoate were announced as the three winning Olivers in week nine on 24 May.[28][29]

Finalist Age * From Scarf Colour Lead Vocal Reached Result
Gareth Borrow 12 Derry Pink N/A Final 12 Eliminated in Week 8
Jordan Li-Smith 13 Wrexham Red N/A Final 12 Eliminated in Week 8
Joseph McNamara 9 Berkshire Yellow N/A Final 12 Eliminated in Week 8
Sam Cotton 10 Hampshire Dark Blue N/A Final 12 Eliminated in Week 8
Chester McKee 12 London Dark Red Week 2 Final 8 Eliminated in Week 9
Arthur Byrne 10 Bristol Purple Week 3 Final 8 Eliminated in Week 9
Kwayedza Kureya 13 Kent Light Blue Week 4 Final 8 Eliminated in Week 9
Alexander Hockaday 11 London Dark Orange Week 5 Final 8 Eliminated in Week 9
Jonny Clowes 13 Leamington Spa Dark Green Week 8 Final 8 Eliminated in Week 9
Gwion Jones 11 Carmarthenshire Light Green Week 1 Top 3 Winner
Harry Stott 12 Oxfordshire Orange Week 6 Top 3 Winner
Laurence Jeffcoate 11 Cheshire Beige Week 7 Top 3 Winner
  • as of the start of the series

Results summary

[edit]
Colour key
  – Contestant was in the bottom two and who was saved after the sing off
  – Contestant was eliminated after the sing off
  – Contestant who received the most public votes
Weekly results per contestant
Contestant Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Quarter Final Semi Final Final
Jodie Prenger Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Winner
(week 10)
Jessie Buckley Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Runner-up
(week 10)
Samantha Barks Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe 4th 3rd Place
(week 10)
Rachel Tucker Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe 7th Safe 4th 3rd Eliminated
(week 9)
Niamh Perry Safe Safe Safe Safe 7th Safe 5th 5th Eliminated
(week 8)
Ashley J Russell Safe Safe Safe 9th Safe Safe 6th Eliminated
(week 7)
Sarah Lark Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe 6th Eliminated
(week 6)
Keisha Amponsa-Banson Safe 11th 10th Safe 8th Eliminated
(week 5)
Francesca Jackson 11th Safe Safe 8th Eliminated
(week 4)
Tara Bethan Safe Safe 9th Eliminated
(week 3)
Cleo Royer Safe 10th Eliminated
(week 2)
Amy Booth-Steel 12th Eliminated
(week 1)

Live shows

[edit]

Week 1 (29/30 March)

[edit]

Gwion Jones was announced as the first Oliver semi-finalist on the Saturday show.

The show performances and missions were:[30]

Contestants' performances on the first live show
Act Performance Pair Order Song Result
Jessie Buckley Pair 1 1 "River Deep - Mountain High" (Tina Turner) Safe
Jodie Prenger 2 "Chasing Pavements" (Adele) Safe
Tara Bethan Pair 2 3 "Suddenly I See" (KT Tunstall) Safe
Ashley J Russell 4 "Black Velvet" (Alannah Myles) Safe
Amy Booth-Steel Pair 3 5 "Respect" (Aretha Franklin) Bottom two
Keisha Amponsa-Banson 6 "Mad About the Boy" (Dinah Washington) Safe
Francesca Jackson Pair 4 7 "Hero" (Mariah Carey) Bottom two
Rachel Tucker 8 "About You Now" (Sugababes) Safe
Samantha Barks Pair 5 9 "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" (Joan Jett & the Blackhearts) Safe
Sarah Lark 10 "Get Here" (Oleta Adams) Safe
Cleo Royer Pair 6 11 "Who Knew" (Pink) Safe
Niamh Perry 12 "The First Cut Is the Deepest" (Cat Stevens) Safe
  • Panel's verdict on who was not Nancy:
    • John Barrowman: Amy Booth-Steel
    • Denise Van Outen: Tara Bethan
    • Barry Humphries: Amy Booth-Steel

Sing-off:

Act Sing Off Song Results
Amy Booth-Steel "Tell Me on a Sunday" [31] Eliminated
Francesca Jackson Saved by Lloyd Webber

Week 2 (5/6 April)

[edit]

Chester McKee was announced as the second Oliver semi-finalist on the Saturday show.[32]

The show performances and missions were:[30]

Contestants' performances on the second live show
Act Performance Pair Order Song Result
Niamh Perry Pair 1 1 "I've Got the Music in Me" (The Kiki Dee Band) Safe
Cleo Royer 2 "Feeling Good" (Nina Simone) Bottom two
Keisha Amponsa-Banson Pair 2 3 "Get the Party Started" (Pink) Bottom two
Samantha Barks 4 "See the Day" (Dee C. Lee) Safe
Francesca Jackson Solo Performance 5 "Somebody to Love" (Queen) Safe
Rachel Tucker Pair 3 6 "Beautiful" (Christina Aguilera) Safe
Sarah Lark 7 "Piece of My Heart" (Erma Franklin) Safe
Tara Bethan Pair 4 8 "Without You" (Harry Nilsson) Safe
Jodie Prenger 9 "I'm Every Woman" (Chaka Khan) Safe
Ashley J Russell Pair 5 10 "Mercy" (Duffy) Safe
Jessie Buckley 11 "Killing Me Softly with His Song" (Roberta Flack) Safe
  • Panel's verdict on who was not Nancy:
    • John Barrowman: Samantha Barks
    • Denise Van Outen: Keisha Amponsa-Banson
    • Barry Humphries: Keisha Amponsa-Banson

Sing-off:

Act Sing Off Song Results
Cleo Royer "I Know Him So Well" from Chess[33] Eliminated
Keisha Amponsa-Banson Saved by Lloyd Webber

Week 3 (12/13 April)

[edit]

Arthur Byrne was announced as the third Oliver semi-finalist on the Saturday show.

The show performances and missions were:[30]

Contestants' performances on the third live show
Act Performance Pair Order Song Musical/Film Result
Rachel Tucker Pair 1 1 "Oh, What a Night" (The Four Seasons) Jersey Boys Safe
Sarah Lark 2 "Maybe This Time" (Liza Minnelli) Cabaret Safe
Francesca Jackson Pair 2 3 "(I've Had) The Time of My Life"(Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes) Dirty Dancing Safe
Keisha Amponsa-Banson 4 "The Lady Is a Tramp"(Ella Fitzgerald) Babes in Arms Bottom two
Ashley J Russell Pair 3 5 "The Winner Takes It All"(ABBA) Mamma Mia! Safe
Jodie Prenger 6 "Send in the Clowns"(Judy Collins) A Little Night Music Safe
Niamh Perry Pair 4 7 "Moon River" (Audrey Hepburn) Breakfast at Tiffany's Safe
Jessie Buckley 8 "One Night Only" (Jennifer Hudson) Dreamgirls Safe
Tara Bethan Pair 5 9 "Let's Hear It for the Boy" (Deniece Williams) Footloose Bottom two
Samantha Barks 10 "Somewhere" (Barbra Streisand) West Side Story Safe
  • Panel's verdict on who was not Nancy:
    • John Barrowman: Tara Bethan
    • Denise Van Outen: Keisha Amponsa-Banson
    • Barry Humphries: Tara Bethan

Sing-off:

Act Sing Off Song Results
Keisha Amponsa-Banson "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz Saved by Lloyd Webber
Tara Bethan Eliminated

Week 4 (19/20 April)

[edit]

Kwayedza Kureya was announced as the fourth Oliver semi-finalist on the Saturday show.

The show performances and missions were:[30]

Contestants' performances on the fourth live show
Act Performance Pair Order Song Vegas Legend Result
Jodie Prenger Pair 1 1 "9 to 5" Dolly Parton Safe
Samantha Barks 2 "Hurt" Christina Aguilera Safe
Ashley J Russell Pair 2 3 "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" Whitney Houston Bottom two
Niamh Perry 4 "Wind Beneath My Wings" Bette Midler Safe
Keisha Amponsa-Banson Solo Performance 5 "My Heart Will Go On" Celine Dion Safe
Jessie Buckley Pair 3 6 "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" Diana Ross Safe
Sarah Lark 7 "Midnight Train to Georgia" Gladys Knight Safe
Francesca Jackson Pair 4 8 "What's Love Got to Do with It" Tina Turner Bottom two
Rachel Tucker 9 "The Way We Were" Barbra Streisand Safe
  • Panel's verdict on who was not Nancy:
    • John Barrowman: Keisha Amponsa-Banson
    • Denise Van Outen: Keisha Amponsa-Banson
    • Barry Humphries: Francesca Jackson

Sing-off:

Act Sing Off Song Results
Ashley J Russell "Whistle Down The Wind" Saved by Lloyd Webber
Francesca Jackson Eliminated

Week 5 (26/27 April)

[edit]

Alexander Hockaday was announced as the fifth Oliver semi-finalist on the Saturday show.

The show performances and missions were:[30]

Contestants' performances on the fifth live show
Act Performance Pair Order Song Result
Niamh Perry Pair 1 1 "Valerie" (Amy Winehouse) Bottom two
Rachel Tucker 2 "I'm with You" (Avril Lavigne) Safe
Jessie Buckley Pair 2 3 "Stop!" (Sam Brown) Safe
Sarah Lark 4 "Ironic" (Alanis Morissette) Safe
Keisha Amponsa-Banson Pair 3 5 "I'm Outta Love" (Anastacia) Bottom two
Ashley J Russell 6 "Evergreen" (from A Star Is Born) Safe
Samantha Barks Pair 4 7 "Since U Been Gone" (Kelly Clarkson) Safe
Jodie Prenger 8 "I Have Nothing" (Whitney Houston) Safe
  • Panel's verdict on who was not Nancy:
    • John Barrowman: Keisha Amponsa-Banson
    • Denise Van Outen: Ashley J Russell
    • Barry Humphries: Keisha Amponsa-Banson

Sing-off:

Act Sing Off Song Results
Niamh Perry "The Rose" Saved by Lloyd Webber
Keisha Amponsa-Banson Eliminated

Notes:

  • Before announcing his decision he said, "First, I'm going to say this is a complete and utter travesty, neither of you should be in the bottom two, it's completely wrong. I've been put into a situation that I have never wanted to be in. For the first time on a television show, I am angry." And after choosing to eliminate Keisha, he told her, "You were absolutely wonderful. I think you have a huge career ahead of you and all I can say is that I'll do anything I can to help you."[34][35]

Week 6 (3/4 May)

[edit]

Harry Stott was announced as the sixth Oliver semi-finalist on the Saturday show. The Olivers voted to choose one Nancy to perform with them on the Results Show and chose Sarah. Andrew Lloyd Webber worked with each of the Nancys in the week before the show to improve their performance, focusing on their acting abilities. He also gave each Nancy a "master class" to learn the sing-off song.

The show performances and missions were:[30]

Contestants' performances on the sixth live show
Act Performance Pair Order Song Result
Jodie Prenger Pair 1 1 "Luck Be a Lady" (from Guys and Dolls") Safe
Sarah Lark 2 "Mr. Bojangles" (Sammy Davis Jr.) Bottom two
Rachel Tucker Pair 2 3 "For Once in My Life" (Stevie Wonder) Bottom two
Samantha Barks 4 "Sway" (Dean Martin) Safe
Niamh Perry Solo Performance 5 "They Can't Take That Away from Me" (from Shall We Dance) Safe
Jessie Buckley Pair 3 6 "The Man that Got Away" (Judy Garland) Safe
Ashley J Russell 7 "Big Spender" (from Sweet Charity) Safe
  • Panel's verdict on who was not Nancy:
    • John Barrowman: Jodie Prenger
    • Denise Van Outen: Sarah Lark
    • Barry Humphries: Ashley J Russell

Sing-off:

Act Sing Off Song Results
Sarah Lark "As If We Never Said Goodbye" from Sunset Boulevard Eliminated
Rachel Tucker Saved by Lloyd Webber

Notes:

  • Andrew Lloyd Webber told Sarah after her elimination, "I have to think as a producer and I do think Rachel was rock solid, and there were moments that I did think that maybe you were a bit fragile", adding "but you were wonderful and you did exactly what I asked."[36]

Week 7 (10/11 May)

[edit]

Laurence Jeffcoate was announced as the seventh Oliver semi-finalist on the Saturday show. The Olivers voted to choose one Nancy to perform with them on the Results Show and chose Niamh. During the week Lloyd Webber took the Nancys to the O2 Arena to see Celine Dion in concert.

The show performances and missions were:[30]

Contestants' performances on the seventh live show
Act Order Song Result
Jessie Buckley 1 "Fighter" (Christina Aguilera) Safe
Niamh Perry 2 "True Colours" (Cyndi Lauper) Bottom two
Ashley J Russell 3 "I Say a Little Prayer" (Dionne Warwick) Bottom two
Samantha Barks 4 "Survivor" (Destiny's Child) Safe
Jodie Prenger 5 "If I Ain't Got You" (Alicia Keys) Safe
Rachel Tucker 6 "You've Got a Friend" (Carole King) Safe
  • Panel's verdict on who was not Nancy:
    • John Barrowman: Jessie Buckley
    • Denise Van Outen: Ashley J Russell
    • Barry Humphries: Rachel Tucker

Sing-off:

Act Sing Off Song Results
Niamh Perry "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" from Evita Saved by Lloyd Webber
Ashley J Russell Eliminated

Notes:

  • Some of Candyman's lyrics were altered in order to adhere to the family-orientated nature of the series, bearing in mind the song was about intercourse; the sentence "he's a one-stop shop, makes the panties drop" was changed to "he's a one-stop shop, really hit the spot". After the performance, Lloyd-Webber smirked, "We won't go into the lyrics of what you sang in too much detail."[37][38]
  • Lloyd Webber said after the sing off, "I've said Niamh is a little young for this, and I was very hard on you, Ashley," then saying "In the end, I've got to save Niamh." To Ashley he said, "I do want to say that you are a fantastic talent, but you don't communicate it on stage," adding that he would love to work with her one-day, and that her drama students "should be very proud."[39]

Week 8 (17/18 May)

[edit]

Week eight was the quarter-final stage of the series. Jonny Clowes was announced as the eighth and last Oliver semi-finalist on the Saturday show with Gareth Borrow, Jordan Li-Smith, Joseph McNamara and Sam Cotton leaving after the Saturday show.

The Nancys were joined by five of the finalists from Any Dream Will Do - Daniel Boys, Lewis Bradley, Ben James-Ellis, Keith Jack and Rob McVeigh to perform a group number. They were paired up: Rachel and Daniel; Jodie and Lewis; Jessie and Rob; Samantha and Ben; Niamh and Keith.

The show performances and missions were:[30]

Contestants' performances on the eighth live show
Act Order Song Result
Jodie Prenger 1 "Holding Out for a Hero" (Bonnie Tyler) Safe
Rachel Tucker 2 "I Will Always Love You" (Dolly Parton) Bottom two
Samantha Barks 3 "Defying Gravity" (from Wicked) Safe
Jessie Buckley 4 "How Do I Live" (LeAnn Rimes) Safe
Niamh Perry 5 "Don't Speak" (No Doubt) Bottom two
  • Panel's verdict on who was not Nancy:
    • John Barrowman: Jessie Buckley
    • Denise Van Outen: Niamh Perry
    • Barry Humphries: Niamh Perry

Sing-off:

Act Sing Off Song Results
Rachel Tucker "Another Suitcase in Another Hall" from Evita Saved by Lloyd Webber
Niamh Perry Eliminated

Notes:

  • After Niamh's elimination Lloyd Webber said, "Niamh, if I was casting Evita, I would seriously think of you for that role," adding, "Rachel I thought you handled it well, you warmed into the song." Of Niamh he said, "your voice just needs time to mature and I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't up for a major leading role when you're twenty."[40]

Week 9 (24/25 May)

[edit]

Week nine was the semi-final stage of the series. On 23 May the BBC announced that Cameron Mackintosh would be joining the panel for the semi-final to give his opinion on the four remaining Nancys and to announce, with Lloyd Webber, which three boys they chose as Oliver and that he would also be on the panel for the Grand-final.[41] The four Nancys also appeared on The Paul O'Grady Show on Channel 4 singing "Oom-Pah-Pah".[42]

Gwion Jones, Harry Stott and Laurence Jeffcoate were announced as the three winning Olivers on the Saturday show with Lloyd Webber saying, "Cameron and I agree we have three very different Olivers, but I think it's a great result and I think whichever Oliver you go and see you're going to get a fantastic performance." And Mackintosh adding, "The talent we have unearthed has been terrific."[28]

Cameron Mackintosh confirmed that Rowan Atkinson will be performing the part of Fagin in the stage show. The four remaining Nancys were divided into pairs, The Northern Nancys and the Celtic Nancys for two group performances.

The show performances and missions were:[30]

Contestants' performances on the ninth live show
Act Order Song Result
Rachel Tucker 1 "Cabaret" (from Cabaret) Bottom two
Jessie Buckley 2 "What I Did for Love" (from A Chorus Line) Safe
Samantha Barks 3 "When You Believe" (from The Prince of Egypt) Bottom two
Jodie Prenger 4 "Out Here on My Own" (Irene Cara) Safe
  • Panel's verdict on who was not Nancy:
    • John Barrowman: Jessie Buckley
    • Denise Van Outen: Jessie Buckley
    • Barry Humphries: Jodie Prenger
    • Cameron Mackintosh: Jodie Prenger

Sing-off:

Act Sing Off Song Results
Rachel Tucker "Memory" from Cats Eliminated
Samantha Barks Saved by Lloyd Webber

Notes:

  • Andrew Lloyd Webber expressed severe disappointment with the result, saying "Last night Cameron and I were both saying that we thought both of you would be fantastic Nancys and now here am I faced with this. But I've got to make a decision and I've got to think of where the show ultimately for Cameron is going to go and I think I have to go with you Samantha.[43]

In the week following the show, it was claimed that Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh had fallen out over Lloyd Webber's decision to eliminate Rachel Tucker who Mackintosh had wanted to see in the final. Lloyd Webber said, "The fact is Cameron wanted Rachel to stay. He wanted Rachel and Samantha in the final from the beginning of the series. Rachel did a fantastic performance but I had to face up to the fact that she wouldn't have gone any further. What I may think professionally is sometimes different from what the public want. I saved Rachel three times and she still ended up in the bottom two."[44]

In the week the semi-final aired, the four semi-finalists did a photoshoot for Now magazine recreating some of Madonna's iconic images. Jodie posed in a wedding dress to recreate the cover of the album Like a Virgin; Jessie copied a pose, wearing a black dress, from the music video for the song Like a Prayer, Samantha was dressed in hotpants copying the pose from the cover of the 2008 album, Hard Candy and Rachel posed in a cowboy hat, recreating the cover of the album Music.[citation needed]

Week 10 (31 May)

[edit]

Week ten was the final week of the show and the Grand-final when the winning Nancy was revealed. Both shows aired live on Saturday with the main show starting at 6:00pm and the Results show at 8:45pm. The finalists were Jessie Buckley, Jodie Prenger and Samantha Barks.

On 30 May, Andrew Lloyd Webber revealed that Cameron Mackintosh was concerned about Jodie Prenger's "curvaceous figure" saying, "Cameron thinks she is a bit too big and has more or less said so". However, Webber defended Prenger, saying that she had both the vocal talents and personality for the role, saying "Jodie could be anybody's idea of Nancy - I can see it absolutely. She has got a lovely voice and a super personality. She has experience as well."[45]

Also on 30 May, the BBC announced how voting would work in the final. With all the decisions now being from the public vote, the voting lines opened at the start of Show One. At the end of Show One, the finalist with the lowest number of viewers votes, Samantha was eliminated and therefore finished third. The voting lines then re-opened to vote for the series winner, with all the votes cast for the remaining two Nancys carried over. Then in Show Two the final two Nancys went head-to-head before the winner was announced as Jodie.[46]

The three finalists were taken to Paris in the week leading up to the show. In London they met and had a "Master Class" with Liza Minnelli. All twelve Nancy finalists and all twelve Oliver finalists also performed. Lee Mead also performed on Show One. In Show two both Jessie and Jodie performed Nancy's love ballad "As Long as He Needs Me".

The show performances were:[30]

Contestants' performances on the tenth live show part 1
Act Order Song Result
Jodie Prenger 1 "Son of a Preacher Man" Safe
Samantha Barks 2 "Anyone Who Had a Heart" Third place [47]
Jessie Buckley 3 "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" Safe
  • Theme: Winning song, song of the series
Contestants' performances on the tenth live show part 2
Act Order Song Order Song Result
Jodie Prenger 1 "As Long as He Needs Me" 3 "I Have Nothing" Winner
Jessie Buckley 2 "As Long as He Needs Me" 4 "The Man That Got Away" Runner-Up
  • Judges' verdicts on who was Nancy:
    • John Barrowman: Jodie Prenger
    • Denise Van Outen: Jodie Prenger
    • Barry Humphries: Jessie Buckley
    • Cameron Mackintosh: Jessie Buckley
    • Andrew Lloyd Webber: Jessie Buckley
  • The Final Vote

The final vote was then announced and it was revealed that the winner was Jodie Prenger with Andrew Lloyd Webber saying, "The people's Nancy. Jodie was always going to be the people's choice." Cameron Mackintosh added, 'I'm thrilled for Jodie, congratulations!'[48]

Reception

[edit]

In March 2008, the BBC drew criticism from American actor, Kevin Spacey, the artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre Company for airing shows such as I'd Do Anything and Any Dream Will Do which he claimed were distorting the theatre market in favour of musicals instead of straight plays.[49] Spacey said, "I felt that was essentially a 13-week promotion for a musical - where's our 13-week programme?" and that he thought the BBC's talent shows were "crossing the line" and "unfair". The BBC responded that it "always reflected" other West End shows in its talent programmes. Adding that the shows were not unduly promotional and that the shows "celebrate musical theatre generally, not just one West End show". They also pointed out that the BBC had no commercial interest in the West End productions of Oliver!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat or The Sound of Music.[50]

Spacey's comments were criticised by Simon Cowell who stated, "It sounds like Russia in the Sixties, that mentality. I don't think that applies to the modern world. What the BBC does is very good for the West End because it reminds millions of people what the West End is all about – they're going to sell a lot of tickets off the back of that." [49]

On 31 May 2008 it was revealed that the show regularly received over 6 million viewers.[51] The first programme of the series which aired on 15 March, before the first live shows two weeks later, was watched by 5.5 million viewers, 24.2% of the total audience, in what the Entertainment and Media website Digital Spy described as "a weak debut".[52]

After the week five shows it was revealed that the Saturday show was watched by 5.6 million viewers, 27% of the total audience, which although 0.5 million down on the previous week, was still 200,000 above the slot average. This was slightly ahead of the third episode of All Star Mr & Mrs, on ITV1 which had 5.2 million viewers (25.2%).[53]

The final shows on 31 May were shown on the same night as the finals of the second series of Britain's Got Talent on ITV1 although the shows did not clash directly apart from a short period toward the end of the first show of I'd Do Anything. The total number of viewers for both shows was given as 20 million.[51]

Ratings

[edit]

Ratings taken from BARB.

Show Date Official rating
(millions) 		BBC1 weekly ranking Share
Auditions 1 15 March 2008 5.66 9 24.2%[54]
Auditions 2 22 March 2008 5.75 11 24.7%[55]
Live Show 1 29 March 2008 6.36 11 27.9%[56]
Results 1 30 March 2008 5.67 14 24.0%[57]
Live Show 2 5 April 2008 6.97 8 30.3%[58]
Results 2 6 April 2008 6.51 10 26.7%[59]
Live Show 3 12 April 2008 5.57 10 22.7%[60]
Results 3 13 April 2008 6.07 8 26.0%[61]
Live Show 4 19 April 2008 6.34 11 27.1%[62]
Results 4 20 April 2008 5.41 16 22.8%[63]
Live Show 5 26 April 2008 5.92 10 27.5%[64]
Results 5 27 April 2008 5.75 11 24.0%[65]
Live Show 6 3 May 2008 5.59 13 27.6%[66]
Results 6 4 May 2008 5.40 17 26.3%[67]
Live Show 7 10 May 2008 5.37 15 27.0%[68]
Results 7 11 May 2008 6.15 10 30.0%[69]
Live Show 8 17 May 2008 6.13 13 25.8%[70]
Results 8 18 May 2008 6.66 9 30.4%[71]
Live Show 9 24 May 2008 5.27 12 29.9%[72]
Results 9 25 May 2008 6.41 7 30.7%[73]
The Final 31 May 2008 5.46 10 32.3%[74]
Final Results 7.18 4 31.0%[74]
Average 6.03 — 27.2%

Later series

[edit]

Lloyd Webber next returned to BBC screens in 2010 with a similar series, Over the Rainbow, a search to find a new Dorothy for The Wizard of Oz, produced by his company, The Really Useful Group.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Reeve-Crook, Antony (21 December 2007). "BBC follows Maria and Joseph with Oliver!". C21 Media. Retrieved 22 December 2007.
  2. ^ a b c "BBC One announces its search for stars of Oliver!". BBC. 21 December 2007. Retrieved 21 December 2007.
  3. ^ a b c d e "It's almost showtime..." BBC. 7 March 2008. Retrieved 7 March 2008.
  4. ^ Darvell, Michael (21 December 2008). "Andrew to help BBC find Oliver!". Andrew Lloyd Webber. Archived from the original on 25 January 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  5. ^ Hemley, Matthew (8 January 2008). "The torch-bearer - John Barrowman". The Stage. Retrieved 10 January 2008.
  6. ^ "Barry Humphries to join panel of I'd Do Anything". BBC. 28 February 2007. Retrieved 28 February 2007.
  7. ^ "Meet the judges!". BBC. 28 February 2008. Retrieved 7 March 2008.
  8. ^ a b c d e Darvell, Michael (January 2008). "I'd Do Anything – Lionel Bart's Oliver – Graham Norton & Andrew Lloyd Webber reunite on BBC1 Television to find a new Nancy and three new Olivers". classicalsource.com. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  9. ^ a b "No viewer vote for BBC's Oliver". BBC News. 13 March 2008. Retrieved 24 March 2008.
  10. ^ "Nancy Contestants". BBC. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  11. ^ Shenton, Mark (23 March 2008). "A Dozen "Nancy" Finalists Announced in Oliver! Reality Casting Series". Playbill. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 24 March 2008.
  12. ^ "Nancy Contestants - Amy". BBC. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  13. ^ "Nancy Contestants - Cleopatra". BBC. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  14. ^ "Nancy Contestants - Tara". BBC. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  15. ^ a b c "Welsh Nancy and Oliver hopefuls". BBC News. 23 March 2008. Retrieved 24 March 2008.
  16. ^ "Nancy Contestants - Francesca". BBC. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  17. ^ "Nancy Contestants - Keisha". BBC. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  18. ^ "Nancy Contestants - Sarah". BBC. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  19. ^ "Nancy Contestants - Ashley". BBC. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  20. ^ "Nancy Contestants - Niamh". BBC. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  21. ^ "Nancy Contestants - Rachel". BBC. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  22. ^ "Nancy Contestants - Samantha". BBC. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  23. ^ "Nancy Contestants - Jessie". BBC. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  24. ^ "Nancy Contestants - Jodie". BBC. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  25. ^ Gomm, Elizabeth (24 March 2008). "Blackpool's Jodie steps nearer to Nancy role". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 24 March 2008.
  26. ^ "BBC names 12 Oliver TV hopefuls". BBC News. 23 March 2008. Retrieved 24 March 2008.
  27. ^ "Meet the Olivers!". BBC. 23 March 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2008.
  28. ^ a b "You Are Oliver! The Three Winners are Gwion, Harry and Laurence". BBC. 24 May 2008. Retrieved 25 May 2008.
  29. ^ Shenton, Mark (28 May 2008). "Jones, Stott and Jeffcoate Will Be Oliver in London Revival of Lionel Bart Musical". Playbill News. Archived from the original on 30 May 2008. Retrieved 31 May 2008.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Music on the Night". BBC. 29 March 2008. Retrieved 29 March 2008.
  31. ^ "Reviewing the Situation: Week One Result". BBC. 30 March 2008. Retrieved 30 March 2008.
  32. ^ "He Could be Oliver!". BBC. 5 April 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  33. ^ "Reviewing the Situation: Week Two Result". BBC. 6 April 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  34. ^ At the end of Keisha's final performance, he can be seen to leave the stage prematurely. "I'd Do Anything". 1. Episode 12. 27 April 2008.
  35. ^ "Reviewing the Situation: Week Five Result". BBC. 27 April 2008. Retrieved 28 April 2008.
  36. ^ "Reviewing the Situation: Week Six Result: Sarah was the sixth Nancy out". BBC. 4 May 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  37. ^ "Young Nancy Trio - Candyman (High Quality)". YouTube. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  38. ^ Wallis, Sara (12 May 2008). "Three Nancys go for TV shocker". The Mirror. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  39. ^ "Reviewing the Situation: Week Seven Result: Ashley was the seventh Nancy to leave". BBC. 11 May 2008. Retrieved 11 May 2008. [dead link]
  40. ^ "Reviewing the Situation: Week Eight Result, Niamh was the eighth Nancy to leave". BBC. 18 May 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2008.
  41. ^ "Another Chair Please! Sir Cameron is joining the panel this weekend". BBC. 23 May 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
  42. ^ "When They Sing Oom-Pah-Pah. It's all go go go for the girls left in the competition". BBC. 23 May 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
  43. ^ "Reviewing the Situation: Week Nine Result Rachel was the ninth Nancy to leave". BBC. 25 May 2008. Retrieved 25 May 2008.
  44. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (31 May 2008). "Nancy judges fell out over Rachel's exit". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 June 2008.
  45. ^ Fletcher, Alex (27 May 2008). "Webber: 'Cameron doesn't want big Nancy'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 27 May 2008.
  46. ^ "The Live Final: How the voting will work on Saturday". BBC. 30 May 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
  47. ^ "Reviewing the Situation: Final, Samantha came third in the competition". BBC. 31 May 2008. Retrieved 31 May 2008.
  48. ^ "Reviewing the Situation: Final Results, Jodie is Nancy!". BBC. 31 May 2008. Retrieved 31 May 2008.
  49. ^ a b Midgley, Neil (18 April 2008). "Simon Cowell responds to Kevin Spacey's Andrew Lloyd Webber comments". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  50. ^ "Spacey complains over BBC shows". BBC. 31 March 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  51. ^ a b Hastings, Chris (1 June 2008). "20 million tune in for talent show finals". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 4 June 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2008.
  52. ^ West, Dave (17 March 2008). "'I'd Do Anything' makes weak debut". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
  53. ^ West, Dave (28 April 2008). "Nancys pip 'Mr and Mrs' in the ratings". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
  54. ^ "Ratings Thread - Page 341".
  55. ^ "Ratings Thread - Page 349".
  56. ^ "Ratings Thread - Page 363".
  57. ^ "Ratings Thread - Page 365".
  58. ^ "Ratings Thread - Page 373".
  59. ^ "Ratings Thread - Page 375".
  60. ^ "Ratings Thread - Page 385".
  61. ^ "Ratings Thread - Page 389".
  62. ^ "Ratings Thread - Page 399".
  63. ^ "Ratings Thread (Part 2) - Page 4".
  64. ^ "Ratings Thread (Part 2) - Page 12".
  65. ^ "Ratings Thread (Part 2) - Page 15".
  66. ^ "Ratings Thread (Part 2) - Page 25".
  67. ^ "Ratings Thread (Part 2) - Page 27".
  68. ^ "Ratings Thread (Part 2) - Page 36".
  69. ^ "Ratings Thread (Part 2) - Page 37".
  70. ^ "Ratings Thread (Part 2) - Page 45".
  71. ^ "Ratings Thread (Part 2) - Page 47".
  72. ^ "Ratings Thread (Part 2) - Page 60".
  73. ^ "Ratings Thread (Part 2) - Page 60".
  74. ^ a b "Ratings Thread (Part 2) - Page 72".
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