Oz Blog: Standing ovations as we say another goodbye

Read our Oz Blog on Saturday’s show here.

Sunday again, but no day of rest for our Dorothys as the sing-off loomed. Still, there was some light on the horizon as we were told Charlotte would later be joining the girls onstage. “Is this your first TV performance in a couple of years?” the BBC’s warm-up comedian asked Charlotte as we prepared to film. “Yes, the last TV performances I did were the duets on my show, so two years…” she told us.

And what of panellist John Partridge? “I’d love to see you do a number with the girls John… something from Cats? In lycra?” the warm-up comedian said.“I bet you would,” John said, with a twinkle in his eye. John’s always performing though. We’ve spotted him mouthing the words and dancing around in his seat during the livelier performances…

After the girls kicked off the show with another rendition of ‘If I Only Had The Part,’ there was time for a quick change as Graham chatted to the panel. We spotted Jessica and Stephanie practicing their moves as Graham asked Andrew if there were any leading ladies among the final eight. “If I’m honest – six. But I won’t be drawn,” said the Lord, as we tried to guess what the girls’ next number was going to be.

And then it was time for the week’s musical ‘mash-up’. As the girls moved from ‘A Fine Romance’ into a Lady Gaga medley, John wasn’t the only one dancing in his seat. And we guessed right – those fabulous monochrome outfits were a Gaga giveaway.

Then it was Toto time. Eleven dogs (two cute beagles for the price of one) descended on Andrew’s country home for the Lord to choose the final five. There was lots of aaaahing from the studio audience as we watched Bertie arrive in his coat, Dangerous Dave in his red necktie, and Dennis the cross-breed jump on his owners back. But it was down to Andrew to reveal the final five – Dangerous Dave, Eddie, Missy, beagle Spider and Troy. We suspect more ahhhhing next week…

Back to the Dorothys, and we got a glimpse into Charlotte’s vocal masterclass with the girls in a London church. As the warm-up guy said – “isn’t it funny, Charlotte Church, in a church.” Yes, very funny. But a serious vocal workout for the girls, with Charlotte focusing on their pitching and tone of voice. After taking them through their ‘mission’ song ‘No More Tears’, a disco number sung by Donna Summer and Barbara Streisand, Charlotte revealed to the girls that she would be joining them onstage to sing it – and, as the video rolled, we watched the girls get into place.

It was a fantastic performance from start to finish – John was dancing in his seat, the audience was clapping along, and Charlotte and the girls really belted that high note. There was even a well-deserved standing ovation at the end – and lots of whooping. But, as ever, then it was time for the sing-off. The girls took their places as we waited anxiously for the results. Gasps from the audience as Graham revealed this weeks’ bottom two to be Emilie and Sophie and a lot of sign-waving from the girls’ families as they each performed ‘I Know Him So Well’ from Chess.

And then it was decision time again for Andrew, who this week chose to save Sophie, saying to Emilie, “we all love you to bits, but I just worry about you in the dark days of technical rehearsal…” Emilie thanked her parents and told the panel: “I’m going to train… you will see me!” before handing over her shoes and flying Over The Rainbow for the final time…

So, with a standing ovation from the panel and a hug from Andrew after the show, it was goodbye to Emilie.

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For more information on Over The Rainbow, visit www.bbc.co.uk/dorothy.

AndrewLloydWebber.com

Oz Blog: Standing ovations as we say another goodbye