Well its the penultimate night of this years Soapstar Superstar series and tomorrow night we will find out who will be crowned the king or Queen of soaps.

If you are watching the semi final show tonight and want to share your opinions about the performances, or find out what the rest of the British public thinks, then jump over to our FORUM and get chatting!

Soapstar Superstar. Fabulous Hayley Tamaddon was the star of the show tonight with the beautiful Gemma Atkinson voted out.
It is anyone’s game now as the voting results are very close. Tupelo Dorgu went head to head with Gemma tonight with Tupela staying another night.
Friday will be semi finals night with Mark Furze (safe thanks to Gemma), Hayley Tamaddon and either Tupelo or Antony Cotton.  Both performed exceptionally well, as did Mark and Hayley and anyone could have landed in the bottom two to suffer the 24 wait to see who will be voted out and then, no recovery time, go on stage to open the show.  (Heartless.)
David Gest was his usual amusing self and brought a bit of humour to the show as did Antony when hitting back at a judge’s remarks. All the contestants were brilliant but  Hayley’s performance, especially her first number, was pure beauty giving chills and goose bumps. What an amazing voice and performance. Even Zoë Ball, hosting the show, remarked on getting goose bumps from Hayley’s powerful, emotional and stirring singing.
The contestants will be dancing in the Friday night Semi Finals as well as singing.
A recent survey of Reality viewers showed Soapstar Superstar with five million ITV viewers on their launch night, Just the two of us (now finished) with 4.3 million BBC1 viewers and BB on their first Friday night with 3.9 million. On Channel 4.

On Saturday BB dropped to 2.8 viewers and Soapstar Superstar (finishes Saturday) got 4.3 million. And Just the Two of Us got tops with 4.6 million.  Competition has been tough amongst the reality shows.
Evelyn Lewis

Tonight Soapstar Superstar went all West End and each of the contestants had to sing a popular song from a musical.

Hayley was give ‘On My Own’ from Les Miserables which is a huge song, and a really moving one if done right.

She did it right. it wasn’t just her singing. Her performance was spellbinding and extremely emotional. I was captivated when she was singing, she hit one or two bum notes, but it hardly mattered. I can really see this girl getting more work in this line after the show ends, she is wasted on Emmerdale!

Tupele Dorgu has survived being in the bottom two contestants for the fourth time running! Meaning that Gemma Atkinson has been the latest celebrity to leave Soapstar Superstar.

Many thought that Gemma could take the winners trophy at the end oif the show, as she has millions of fans all around the UK, she has the looks and she can sing…the whole package it seems. However in the end it was not enough.

I would have preferred Gemma to go through to the Soapstar Superstar final than Tupele, I would prefer to watch Gemma perform than Tupele. I feel that Gemma has more of a spark while Tupele often leaves me cold…..But I have picked losers since the beginning of this show. Who would listen to me!

Soapstar Superstar. Versatile Antony Cotton steals the show and Alan Fletcher (Neighbours’ Dr Cole) voted out with Tupele saved for another night.
An amazing and entertaining Antony Cotton stole the show tonight with both his performances, especially his Shirley Bassy medley, showing his versatility, highly entertaining talents and marvellous voice.  An all round winner earning from the judges and audience, thundering applause and a standing ovation.  For once, even Mark Furz (Home and Away) faded into the background.
Mark was saved by Leon Lopez from the public vote with Hayley and Antony making it through after the public votes were counted.  In the bottom two we have two excellent performers, Gemma Atkinson and Tupele Dorgu for the fourth time. It is very hard on the contestants in the bottom two to have to wait 24 hours for the results and then, if they make it through, have to go on stage immediately to open the show.  What a double disadvantage.  Some one will have to go but all the remaining contestants are brilliant.
We will have a guest judge at the next show, David Gest from Celebrity Jungle and ex husband of Liza Minelli while judge Michael trains the remaining contestants in West End performances, as each will have to sing a song chosen by the public and also a Broadway West End number.

Alan Fletcher has tonight become the latest victim of Soapstar Superstar. He was placed in the bottom two contestants last night along with Tupele Dorgu and tonight was told that he would be leaving the show.

Although it was Tupele’e THIRD TIME in the bottom two, the British public saved her once more and allowed her to perform Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Because Of You’.

So its goodbye to Doctor Carl Kennedy……the granny’s must have gotten tired of voting!

Anyone watching Soapstar Supersta on Monday night will have seent eh piece of Vt that was edited and broadcast on ITV, suggesting that Gemma Atkinson and Mark Furze were something of an item.

Well it seems as though Gemma’s current boyfriend Christiano Ronaldo also caught the show and was furious that ITV’s sugestion that his girl was playing away from home.

Gemma is also said to have been distraught at the footage, a pal said: “She was livid and called Ronaldo to assure him nothing had gone on with Mark.�

In another shock eviction, Leon Lopez has become the latest celebrity to exit ITV’s Soapstar Superstar.

Earlier in the week, Leon found himself in the bottom two with anohter competition favourite, Matthew Wolfenden. He was lucky to be saved, but his luck has run out tonight.

In his leaving speech, Leon urged the public to vote for Gemma, i don’t know why he bothered…he will no doubt save her at the end of the night.

Rumors are spreading like wildfire. The word on the net is that Hollyoaks Actress and Soapstar Superstar competitor, Gemma Atkinson, is secretly dating footballer Christiano Ronaldo.

The pair are said to have met for the first time recently at a party, and ever since have been meeting up in Ronaldo’s Cheshire mansion.

A friend told the Sun: ‘Gemma says Christiano’s gorgeous in every way and things are going really well.’

Her spokesman declined to comment on the relationship.

‘Emmerdale’ actress Verity Rushworth (AKA Donna Dingle) has become the latest contestant to be voted off the ITV’s
‘Soapstar Superstar’.

Verity faced harsh criticisms from judge Billy Sammeth, who said: “Being charitable, that was terrible. It’s a miracle you’re still on stage.”

When she was voted off the show, she responded to his comments, saying: “I’m relieved I don’t have to listen to Billy again.”

Former Brookside actor Leon Lopez tells Jade Wright, from the Liverpool Echo why he is bidding to be crowned Soapstar Superstar

Leon Lopez was looking forward to watching his friend Gemma Atkinson in Soapstar Superstar – that was until he got the call asking him to take part in the show himself.
The Hollyoaks: In The City actor has been called in to replace Ben Freeman in the hit ITV1 show, starting tonight

“I am really excited and am looking forward to getting on the stage and performing,” grins Leon, 27, who plays Tank Top in the E4 Hollyoaks spin-off.

“I love singing – I was doing music long before I started acting – so I can’t wait. It was a big surprise to get the call and now I’m really nervous – we all are. Everyone keeps saying we hope we can remember the choreography and the words when the cameras start rolling.”

Former Shorefields Technology College pupil Leon studied music performance at LIPA and performing arts at Liverpool Community College, before going on to win the Echo arts award for best pop act. With a pedigree like that, he must be a contender for the Soapstar Superstar crown?

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to win, but then you’ve got actors in there from Coronation Street and Emmerdale, shows with millions of fans, so I’ve got a bit of a mountain to climb,” he says. “I’m just hoping that people give me a chance. I hope I don’t get voted out first, but then if it happens it happens. I just need to go out there and do my best.”

Leon is currently sharing a flat with fellow In The City actor Phil Olivier, who was this week given the ultimate torso of the year title by Heat magazine.

“We’re always winding him up about that,” laughs Leon. The pair met while playing Tinhead and Jerome Johnson on Brookside and have remained friends. “He used to be in the gym all the time, but recently he’s been getting a bit lazy. I’ve been saying ‘the gym’s for life, not just for Christmas mate’, but he’s not having any of it.”

Leon is getting worried that his gym sessions could prove disastrous tonight.

“It’s so exciting – they’re tailoring all our suits and making the girls’ dresses,” he says. “I’ve never had a suit made for me before. But the lady doing said she’s going to make it really tight to show I’ve been going to the gym, but I’ve put on quite a bit of muscle and I’m getting a bit worried I’ll split my pants with all the dancing – people might end up seeing a bit more than they want to.”

After coming into the show late Leon has been rehearsing around the clock to learn the dance routine for tonight.

“I know what I’m doing my first song, but after that we’ve got no idea what we’ll be doing,” he says. “Each night the panel choose two possible songs for the next night, and then the audience choose which one you do. So if I get through the first show I’ll have to learn a new song in less than 24 hours. I’m petrified.”

The Toxteth lad has been sworn to secrecy about his first song, but he did let slip that it’s a soul classic.

“I love soul music – it’s what I’ve grown up with so I’m most comfortable doing it – but I’ll do whatever they want to give me,” he grins. “If they set me a challenge, I’m up for it. I’d like to give rock a try, I’ve never done it, I might like it. I’d like to do a Lenny Kravitz song.”

Leon is hoping to raise as much money for his chosen charity, Weston Spirit, as he can. It has been a cause close to his heart since he was helped by them as a young boy.

“I used to things with them when I was a kid,” says Leon. “They gave me loads of opportunities. It’s a great charity set up by Falklands veteran Simon Weston to give kids from inner-city areas a focus. The idea behind it is to get young people who might be at risk of going off the rails doing positive things, but it’s open to anyone.”

Nick Van Breeman, appeals director of Weston Spirit, says: “We are delighted to be chosen by Leon who has been a big supporter of our organisation, we wish him the best of luck.”

Executive producer Rachel Ashdown says: “Like all our soap stars Leon has a natural singing ability. With these eleven stars this year, it really is anyone’s prize to win. People will know Leon from Hollyoaks in the City and Brookside before that, and just like our other stars, he has a great voice.”

I was very impressed with Mark Furze’s performance tonight. He sang ‘Just The Way You Are’ and his voice sounded very melodic and tuneful. Almost the opposite of last nights performance.

Last night Martine told Mark that he needs to watch his tuning and I think he really listened to her advice. He looked comfortable, confident and he sang really well.

I still don’t think Mark should win, Leon and Gemma are better singers in my view. But I thought that tonights performance was a marked improvement on previous nights. Well done Mark!

Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden, has become the third person to be voted off Soapstar Superstar 2007.

Matthew was one of the favourites to win the show and his shock exit has sent shivers down the spines of the rest of the Soapstars competing in the show. Everyone was sure that either Leon Lopez or Matthew Wolfenden would win the show, where does that leave us now.

Who will win? I am hoping for either Leon Lopez, Gemma Atkinson or Hayley Tamaddon, but who knows any one of them could leave tomorrow!

Did anyone else hear Mark Furze sing ‘Obviously’ tonight? He was out of tune and very flat the whole way through, and I didn’t think he looked very excited at all!

Martine McCutcheon commented on Mark’s tuning problems and pointed them out as an area Mark needed to work on. But in his critique of Marks performance, Michael disagreed with Martine, saying that he didn’t hear any flat notes at all.

Now either Michael Ball has severe hearing difficulties, or he was listening to his iPod during the whole song. If he had been listening to the same performance as the rest of us he would have heard a woeful, and out of tune version of a pretty catchy wee tune.

After being criticised by the judges last night for not being ladylike or raunchy enough, Gemma Atkinson turned it around tonight and wore a dress where she was spilling out in all the right places.

To top it off she delivered a fantastic performance of ‘Fields Of Gold’. I would never have guessed that Gemma would have had such a sweet and beautiful voice, i really hope she goes far in this show.

The judges were impressed with the change in Gemma tonight, Chris Crowley commented:

“You sang it like an angel, but made me feel like a devil!”