David Gest has admitted that he made the biggest mistake of his career, when he turned down the chance to judge on Britain’s Got Talent.

The music producer – who was famously close friends with the late Michael Jackson – was offered a lucrative TV deal from Simon Cowell back in 2007 and opted to join the panel of flop TV show ‘Grease is the Word’ (alongside Sinitta and Brian Friedman) instead of the massive franchise that it Britain’s Got Talent.

He admits now that he made the “wrong” decision and chose the wrong show when Cowell gave him the choice.

He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: I did ‘Grease is the Word’ and ‘Soapstar Superstar’. Simon signed me on a very lucrative deal. He gave me a choice between ‘Grease is the Word’, which was four months or one week on a little show called ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. I picked the wrong one.”

While David missed out on a slot on the ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ panel, the former ‘I’m A Celebrity. Get Me Out Of Here!’ star is currently busy working with musical legend Cliff Richard and producer Lamont Dozier on a new Motown-inspired album.

The venture was suggested by TV presenter Gloria Hunniford after David appeared on an episode of her TV show ‘Celebrity Cash in the Attic’.

He said: “This all came together when Gloria and I were doing ‘Celebrity Cash In The Attic’. She said, ‘You should do something with Cliff Richard, do something unique’.”

View the original post David Gest turned down Britain’s Got Talent for Grease is the Word on Unreality TV

However, just a few months later, Kav has ended up performing in a Holiday Inn, where punters pay £26 for a three course meal and a night of entertainment provided by a failing popstar.

A little while ago, I read that Kav had been a diva to the person who maintained his unofficial fan site on MySpace. The basic gist was that he had completely blanked the person after they showed years of support to him. I can’t help thinking that gigs in the Holiday Inn are a little taste of karmic intervention for someone who’s (allegedly!) so up his own arse!

It sounds for all intents that Kav is taking on any job that comes up at this stage. Acting, singing, reality television. I think he needs to focus himself instead of being some kind of odd job man.

View the original post Grease Is The Word: Anthony Kavanagh Playing The Holiday Inn on Unreality TV

Denise echoed a recent debate on our forum when she told The Stage:

“They [Grease Is The Word] were not so serious about finding genuine stars.

“I am not saying the two people who won were not good as I have not seen them, but I think their search was more for TV viewers rather than finding and nurturing people for the West End.”

The Any Dream Will Do judge added: “The reason why the BBC shows are such a good thing is because I know the aftercare the contestants get when they leave the show.

“They are really looked after. If you look at lots of other shows like the X Factor, they don’t get as much care afterwards.

“They get their five minutes of fame but nothing else unless they win.”

View the original post Denise Van Outen Slams ITV Reality TV Shows on Unreality TV

Gest, who judged on the ITV show Grease Is The Word, from where the two lead actors for the stage show were picked, commented:

“I had to film The Friday Night Project so I gave Grease a miss,” Gest told the Daily Star Sunday. “Although filming didn’t start until 7pm the next night, I had to get up early to rehearse and have my hair and make-up done.”

He confessed: “Compared to some of the other singing contests, Grease Is the Word wasn’t the best. But I got great reviews for my role in the show!”

View the original post David Gest Avoided Grease Premiere on Unreality TV

View the original post Watch Clips Of Grease Stage Show LIVE! on Unreality TV

Anthony, who narrowly lost out to Danny Bayne on the role of Danny Zuko on a West End Stage, hinted: “I might be doing a soap, apparently, but I’m not allowed to say anything.”

He added that he couldn’t even let the cat out of the bag about which show.

“No, that’s the whole point, otherwise I’m about to blabber it out today and then the PR’s like ‘shhhh’. So no, we’ll wait and see, we’ll wait and see,” he grinned.

View the original post Grease’s Anthony Kavanagh To Star In Soap? on Unreality TV

The theatre producer told The Sun’s TV Biz: “I’ve got my Sandy and Danny and sold £6million of tickets already. It’s been great but it was a one-off — I have no plans for another.”

View the original post Grease Is The Word: David Ian To Quit Reality TV on Unreality TV

“We both wanted to be together in the final because we get on very well,” Michelle told the Daily Record. “I think it’s friendly competition and we both know we’ve done really well to get this far.

“We’re so different as well. I’m a brunette and she’s a blonde. But it won’t be nasty competition.”

View the original post Grease Is The Word: Michelle Antrobus Promises A Friendly Final on Unreality TV

With just two girls and two boys left, competition is fierce and this Saturday Susan McFadden takes on Michelle Antrobus and Danny Bayne goes head to head with Anthony Kavanagh.

From the first auditions in London and Manchester, through to Bootcamp and then to the live studio shows, each of these four contestants has been on a massive personal journey.

There have been shocks and surprises along the way as the judges kept them all on their toes to gauge both talent and how they cope under pressure. From initially competing in couples, the contestants were devastated to have their couplings changed and then were further challenged when they learned they were to go head to head and compete on their own in an all boys and then all girl’s semi-final.

Living together in the Grease house in North London they have all become close friends but on Saturday night these friendships will be put aside as all are determined to win.

The two winners will be put straight to work, rehearsing for their roles with the rest of the Grease cast ready for the opening night at the Piccadilly theatre on the 8th August. Since 29th March when booking opened the box office has taken five and a half million pounds in advance sales.

Saturday 9th June 7.55pm on ITV1

View the original post Grease is the Word: The Final on Unreality TV

The show has trailed behind BBC’s Any Dream Will Do in the ratings since it launched.

Speaking at the launch of new variety series Britain’s Got Talent, Cowell – creator of Grease through his company Syco TV – said: “We’ve learnt our lesson. We shouldn’t try to beat the BBC on those types of shows [but] they shouldn’t try to beat us with variety shows.”

But Simon vowed that his new show, Britain’s Got Talent, will be “a thousand times better than Grease”. I for one can’t wait!

View the original post Simon Cowell Vows never To Do Another Grease! on Unreality TV