June 22nd, 2007 by Lisa McGarry.
Lee Mead faces another nail-biting competition this weekend as his recording of Any Dream Will Do for BBC Children in Need makes its bid for the top of the UK charts.
His chart nemesis is Rihanna, whose single Umbrella has dominated the top spot for five consecutive weeks, but Lee has fellow Any Dream Will Do finalists Keith Jack and Lewis Bradley in his corner, singing on the CD bonus track Close Every Door.
Any Dream Will Do is also available as a download as well as a double track CD single and every copy sold will help BBC Children in Need top last year’s total of £32 million. Read more & comment »
June 9th, 2007 by Lisa McGarry.
Tonight’s grand final of Any Dream Will Do live on BBC One saw understudy Lee Mead triumph in the public vote and win the right to wear the coveted Technicolor Dreamcoat in a new West End production of Joseph.
Immediately after landing one of the best loved roles in musical theatre, Lee Mead said:
“I’m shocked, I was obviously hoping that I’d do well, but it hasn’t sunk in at all. I feel incredible – it’s the best feeling in the world.”
Legendary composer and producer Andrew Lloyd Webber, who had absolutely no say in the choosing of his new leading man as viewers voted to select their Joseph, was thrilled with the public’s choice, saying:
“I’m absolutely delighted. Lee may have been an understudy, but he’s never sung in front of me, or sung in front of milions of people before. He did a fantastic job.” Read more & comment »
June 4th, 2007 by Lisa McGarry.
When the public picks their Joseph in Saturday’s final of BBC One’s Any Dream Will Do they will also be deciding the star of the next BBC Children in Need single.
The three finalists – Keith, Lewis and Lee – have been to the recording studio and the resulting double A-side single will feature two songs – Any Dream Will Do, by the series winner, and an ensemble performance of the heart-wrenching and now familiar exit number, Close Every Door.
Whilst there can only be one Joseph and star of the West End show, the recording session will provide a memorable experience for the runners-up and a fantastic opportunity to raise funds to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. Read more & comment »
June 4th, 2007 by Lisa McGarry.
BBC bosses scrapped a scene with the boys from Any Dream Will Do being locked in a jail cell out of respect for kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston.
The boys were locked in the cell for three hours and then asked to sing Close Every Dorr to me for Saturday nights show. But the BBC decided not to air the scene out of respect for the BBC Middle East correspondent Alan, who was kidnapped in Gaza. The Beeb said “It was felt inappropriate.”
June 3rd, 2007 by Lisa McGarry.
The BBC has announced that a panel of experts will now choose the winning choir to perform at the final of Any Dream Will Do.
Originally the public were supposed to vote on their favourite choir via the BBC website, but due to technical problems and talk of unfair voting, the BBC has decided to let the experts decide.
The 843 choir entries will be whittled down to 20 by the same expert panel who selected the Joseph finalists from regional heats, which includes the show’s vocal coach and judge, Zoe Tyler.
The winner will then by chosen by Andrew Lloyd Webber and fellow composer Howard Goodall.
June 3rd, 2007 by Lisa McGarry.
How Ben Ellis managed to get to the semi final of BBC’s reality show Any Dream Will Do baffles me. But thank the lord, he got booted out last night.
Lewis Bradley, Keith Jack and Lee Mead will now take part in the show’s final next week, the winner of which will take the lead role on a West End version of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
May 30th, 2007 by Lisa McGarry.
Due to its massive ratings success, the BBC has extended this years series of Any Dream Will Do by one week.
It was also reported that BBC boss, Peter Fincham, wanted to add a number more shows but Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber declined due to the imminent rehearsals for the Joseph stage show.
He said: Read more & comment »
May 28th, 2007 by Lisa McGarry.
The Sun has reported that Graham Norton has been lined up to present a new BBC reality TV show, which will search for the star of the stage and screen classic, Saturday Night Fever.
Keen to replicate the popularity of their current search for a star in Any Dream Will Do, reports suggest that BBC1 chief Peter Fincham is already in talks with Saturday Night Fever’s producer Robert Stigwood, 73, who owns the rights.
A BBC source said: “He’s very keen to get the show, it would get everyone strutting around their living rooms on Saturday nights.
“It’s iconic, everybody knows the Bee Gees hits.”
May 27th, 2007 by Lisa McGarry.
Craig Chalmers has become the latest person to be voted off BBC’s reality TV show, Any Dream Will Do.
I know that many people will be breathing a sigh of relief, but I actually don’t think Craig deserved to go last night. Craig found himself in the bottom two once more along with Ben. I found Ben’s performance last night, less than convincing and i really don’t think he has the talent needed to play the part of Joseph. Craig probably doesn’t either, but between him and Ben, i would pick Craig every time! Read more & comment »
May 23rd, 2007 by Lisa McGarry.
Andrew Lloyd Webber has admitted to being in awe of Graham Norton and believes he is a great presenter for BBC’s Any Dream Will Do.
“I’m just in awe of Graham. His talent is boundless,” Andrew told The Sun. “He does the whole show with an earpiece in and has to concentrate on what he’s saying while someone is firing instructions at him from off-stage. I couldn’t do that!”
He added: “I absolutely love doing the show. I always forget the cameras are there and get caught up in the moment. The show is constructed like a musical in itself. Keeping the audience entertained from start to finish is a challenge and we have to carry their concentration through from A to B.”
