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The scene is set: Michelle McManus, Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes await the results of the public vote.
But we're getting a little ahead of ourselves.
Sad to admit, I've been religiously following Pop Idol once again. Initially, my loyalties lay firmly with Susanne. Unfortunately, she never really rose to the challenge of the competiton and after a couple of crap performances, was voted off. After that, the one to watch was Chris (who, out of all of the final 12 contestants, was far and away the most musically gifted, extraordinarily talented of them all). I was utterly gutted when he was voted off last week.
Tonight, my allegiance switched to Mark.
But before we get to his story I should mention that he's never seemed to be particularly popular. In the first week, when the first two contestants were lost, he was in the bottom three. For the past few weeks, he's seemingly scraped through by the skin of his teeth.
So entering the penultimate stage of the competion alongside series favourite Sam and Scottish lass Michelle (who not only gets the whole of Scotland voting for her, but fat people too despite her cringe-inducingly nasal performances). Your money would NOT have been on Mark to make it to the final.
And despite his peerless performances of the evening, the same could have been said of Chris last week. Without a doubt, he was the favourite to go. Two of the judges said so (although Simon Cowell, being particularly non-commital this evening, felt there would "be an upset").
The results are announced. The first contestant through to the final is Michelle. Mark, glumly resigned to his fate, visibly relaxes. He knows it's him.
The last contestant to be voted out of the competition is...
Sam.
The dead cert. The series favourite. The bookies favourite. The tabloids favourite. Sam.
You would not believe the amount of spontaneous joy that errupted around our household. Dancing, shouting, even whooping may have been involved. :-)
Mark Rhodes for Pop Idol 2003.
Before I forget:
For each contestant there was a tantilising video snippet of them singing the first pop idol single - the winner's version being the one slated for release (in the first week of January) next year.
Although we only heard about 20 seconds of the song, Mark's version blew the bloody doors off the Sam & Michelle renditions. I also got the impression it was Simon Cowell's favourite too.
Ooh. Conspiracy theory! :-)
Sorry but my vote so goes to Michelle.
Mark cannot sing. He is a nice enough cheeky chappy, but his voice is really weak. I simply couldn't believe he has not been voted out earlier, he must be getting the whole of the Midlands to vote for him.
Chris was miles better, even Susanne was more distinctive. Mark is like a karaoke guy made good and doesn't have the gravitas to make it as a real pop idol.
However I do agree that his video performance of the single was loads better than the other too, but I don't see how the competition can be judged on that alone. His performances in the run up to Saturday were poor.
Sorry - Michelle McManus for Pop Idol 2003 (although Sam would have had my vote for overall winner)
PS you might want to check out my report on the finalists busking.
Well, considering the fact that any contestant with a modicum of talent was voted off weeks ago, I think we have the final we deserve. Michelle might have a powerful set of pipes, but her range isn't great and her voice, whilst distinctive, is thin and reedy when rendered through a speaker. I'll never know how she made it this far, as out of all of the female finalists, she was one of the weakest. Roxanne and Susanne were miles better by comparison.
Mark is the underdog, and whilst not my first choice from the final four (Chris was), I knew I preferred him to Sam. (Sorry Sam, but it was the mullet.)
So next week, I'll be voting for Mark unless Michelle learns to actually use her diaphragm and start making noises that sound like they originate from her belly as opposed to her nose.
I always vote for MARK. My phone will be busy voting saturday night. I placed about 60 votes last week, my family and friends will also be voting for Mark.
Those blue eyes and that dashing smile, complete with the most angelic voice i have ever heard, will certainly send Michelle back to Scotland.
She does'nt stand a chance. He will thrash her.
MARK TO WIN POP IDOL! GO MARK
I will also be voting for Mark because out of the 2 Mark is definately more of a pop idol. If you think about it really is no market for Michelle in the charts, I do belive she has a good range but her style of voice would suit a cruise ship or a duo with Jane Mcdonald !!!
You know it make sense!!!
Do the right thing and shock the nation and vote for mark 2 win you know you want to !!!
Vote Vote Vote cause Scotland will be...
As a gay guy I am hoping Mark will win so I can see more of that sexy smile. I know the majority of the gay commuinty will be voting for him, as i am sure any hot blooded women will be too...
If you are undecided close you eyes and listen to mark sing you will then no why he sould win...
Vote Mark !!!!!!!
hi im 17 in sept im from eccles manchester and i watched pop idol from the begginning at first i thought kieran would of won but wen it came 2 the final 12 i picked sam nixon all da way he should of won it was a fix 100% i will never stop liking him ive bought the popidol crimbo album the dvd and the single "little help from ma friends" n e 1 send me sum pis of sam email me
becca883@hotmail.com
please and if u agree wit me
hi my name is gregg which i forgot to say it was me who was in crete (greece) the time i seen chris iam 14 and im from ashington i did like chris a lot but i was supporting michelle all the way through if any one wants to ask me eney questions about chris go a head my email address is wats188@aol.com
hi my name is gemma im 17, i never really watched pop idol when it was on but i went on holiday a few weeks ago and i recognised one of the contestants of pop idol 2, Kieran Mcdonald and i wanted to say that the show must have been a fix as kieran was singing quite a bit at this holiday park and i think he is a hell of a lot better than michele mcmanus.