The Unconventionals
The Story So Far…
* The Unconventionals auditioned in London singing The Carpenters’ classic ‘On Top Of The World’
* All the Judges loved them, with Simon saying they made everyone smile. Sharon said that they made her day and Louis said that Drew had a great voice.
* On the first day of Bootcamp they sang ‘Push the Button’ by The Sugababes and ‘Everybody Hurts’ by REM.
* On the second day of Bootcamp, The Unconventionals rehearsed and performed the Queen favourite ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’. Louis and his panel all agreed that they weren’t as good as the previous day. However the judges agreed it was a “no brainer, they were great, with real passion� and they were put through to the Judges Houses stage.
* At the Judges Houses stage they sang “Dedicated To The One I Love� by The Mamas and Papas.
History
* The Unconventionals have only been together for 2 months after Drew decided to form a group that sounded great, but didn’t visibly conform to what every other group looks like.
* Drew and Andrew have known each other since 1990 when they both performed at a charity gig. They now both work together at the London Palladium, Drew is an usher and Andrew works in front of house sales.
* Liz was brought into the group after working with Drew on the musical Grease where they played boyfriend and girlfriend.
* Nicola and Lucy met Drew from their time working on the Boy George musical Taboo.
* Tom is the only member that was unknown to most of the group. He is Nicola’s boyfriend.
* They have only had one performance of note, a charity performance at the night club Too 2 Much.
* The group have all dreamed of making it in the music/musical theatre industry but it has never quite happened. They see The X Factor as being an opportunity to fulfill that dream.
* They know they’re a mismatch of people and not the usual ‘pop’ act but they hope that The X Factor can give them their chance.
Name: Nicola Dawn
Age: 33
Occupation: Promotions
From: Cheshire
History
* Nicola was born and raised in Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire. She currently lives with boyfriend and fellow band member Tom Newman.
* She has been singing for twenty years, and has vocal training. She is also a dancer and has been trained in ballet, tap and jazz.
* She has appeared in a number of stage productions including ‘Cirque De Soleil’.
* When she was 10 she sang as part of Barry Manilow’s choir for his song ‘One Voice’.
Name: Andrew Newey
Age: 38
Occupation: Usher
From: Hull
History:
* He was born in Lincoln and raised in Hull and Hornsea.
* Andrew has two children Jordan (7) and Millie (5). He has one brother and one sister.
* He currently works alongside Drew at the London Palladium.
* Andrew has been singing for 31 years.
* Between the years of 1985-88 he had group vocal training at the Italia Conti stage school, as well as some basic dance lessons.
Name: Lucy Newton
Age: 25
Occupation: Promotions Assistant
From: Sussex
History
* Lucy was born in Shoreham-by-Sea.
* She lives with her Mum, Dad and cat Suki.
* She has two sisters.
* She has been singing for 14 years, and has had classical vocal lessons through the associated board exams.
* She has appeared in a number of television adverts for companies including Asda and British Gas.
* She has also appeared on stage in a number of musicals, including Footloose, Les Miserables, Joseph, Fame and Taboo (where she met Drew).
* She lists her musical influences as Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, and 50cent.
Name: Tom Newman
Age: 39
Occupation: Builder
From: Kent
History
* Tom was born and raised in Sittingbourne, Kent and currently lives with his girlfriend and fellow band member Nicola Dawn in Tunbridge Wells.
* Tom and Nicola have been dating for 6 years since they met while working in Belfast.
* He has been singing for about 30 years, and has played with a couple of rock bands, although in an unprofessional capacity.
* He is able to play the drums.
* Tom has appeared in the a number television commercials including a Ryder Cup promo, an Observer newspaper advert as well as on stage appearing in the musical The Blues Brothers.
* Toms claim to fame is that he decorated Ricky Gervais’ flat in London!
Name: Elizabeth Ewing
Age: 37
Occupation: Waitress
From: Scotland
History
* She was born in Scotland and currently lives with her partner of 17 years Abdellah, and her daughter Jasmin.
* She has three sisters and one brother.
* She has been singing for twenty years but has only had vocal coaching while she was attending drama school.
* She and Drew have been best friends for over 10 years.
* She has appeared on stage in productions of Grease and Les Miserables, as well as on various television shows including Taggart, Bob Martin and Gentleman’s Relish.
Name: Drew Jaymson
Age: 41
Occupation: Usher
From: Oxford
History
* Drew currently works as an usher at the London Palladium which he has been doing for 2 years.
* He has appeared in a number of musical productions including Grease, Mamma Mia and Taboo.
* He has had some training in tap although he admits he’s not great.
* Drew has always wanted to record records and believes The X Factor is his only chance of achieving his dream.
* His musical influences are Stevie Wonder and Eddie Reader.
* At the age of 41 now he feels like it’s his last chance to make it big.
What would winning The X Factor mean to you?
Andrew, says, “I came to London in 1988 with a dream of being a successful recording artist and almost 20 years later, being here would mean that all the hard work and rejection was worth it.� Drew agrees. “I’ve reached a point where my career is at a crossroads and not going so well, so this could bring a way of earning a decent living and doing what I love to do.� Liz sums it up, “It’s hard to put into words. It could potentially mean a massive change, so is really scary in one respect but working and singing is everything that I’ve always wanted.�
What do your friends and family think about your X Factor success?
Liz is most excited about working with the other Unconventionals but says she will miss her partner and her daughter. “My partner is very realistic and cautious so isn’t over excited but is happy for me and very supportive.� The group has been surprised at the reaction of friends and family as to their success. Andrew says “They’re absolutely thrilled. There has been a unanimous positive response at every round we’ve got through. I’ve done lots of auditions but this one has brought out the hysteria in everyone.� Drew adds “They’re all finding it so frustrating because they can’t talk about it.� Lucy adds “at the beginning Mum blanked it out as she was so frightened there would be a rejection somewhere along the line. Dad is still in shock!�
What is the worst job that you’ve ever done?
Liz’s worst job was working for a bus company doing promotions. “I had to dress up as a granny and jump on and off buses and sing ‘Hello Shoppers’ to the tune of Hello Dolly.� Andrew has a similar experience. His was a promotions job in Twickenham hading out newspapers in the rain. But Tom has to take the prize for the most unusual job ever, “My worse job was my first ever – making penises for a medical research company!�
Do you come from a musical family?
Andrew comes from a musical family. “My whole family love music. My Grandfather was in a male voice choir and my mum was in lots of shows.� Drew goes one better. “‘My Dad was in a harmony group with his brothers and sisters called The Smart Family. He also formed a duo after he left the RAF and they entered Opportunity Knocks in 1969.� Nicola’s parents persuaded her to join the business. Her mum is a pianist and her father is a singer.
What are your musical influences?
The group have all appeared in West End musicals including Taboo, Les Miserables and Grease but have very differing musical tastes. Andrew’s favourite single is Tina Turner’s ‘Private Dancer’, Drew’s influences include Billy Joel, Take 6, Eddie Reader and Barbra Streisand. Lucy cites Barry Manilow as her musical legend and ‘Living On A Prayer’ by Bon Jovi as her favourite single.
When did you realise you could sing?
Andrew says “at primary school in the Christmas Nativity. I was one of the shepherds and I sang a solo. I had a stutter when I spoke so I wasn’t used to people listening to me but the audience response was really amazing and I really enjoyed it.� Liz had a similar experience. “‘A teacher told me when I was seven that I had a nice voice. I used to put little singing groups together. I did lots of acting and I loved entertaining.� Tom says “I went in for school shows and plays and from then on it has always been an ambition to perform and entertain. I have pursued other careers but only to pay the mortgage!�
Dionne kicked off part four clad in a figure hugging red dress, looking a million dollars. She came across as confident and I was surprised at her singing which was fantastic.
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