The Last Search For A Star 2007, North West Heats...

THE last of the three heats took place on Thursday 9 August 2007 and what a night it was. The show audience was just below full and the talent was just as stunning. The contestants at the heats have all been fantastic, both on and off stage and a real joy to both watch and to photograph. The comradeship shown is a real joy to see, unlike most talent competitions, competitors at this one helped each other back stage. This help ranged from helping each other to calm nerves through to helping each other with the more mundane things like fixing dresses and each others hair. So good though was the standard of last weeks competitors, the judges actually took 45 minutes to pick the winners. So close in fact was the marking that they had to let 5 through instead of the intended 4 contestants! I would hate to be the judge at the Regional Final that will be held in the Southport Arts Center on 6 September 2007 as they will really have a hard job picking the 1 winner with so many good acts going through. This week’s support act was Graham Oxford and presenter was yet again the very talented Neil from Dune FM’s Big Fun Breakfast Show. I must say well done to the other 2 support acts from the last 2 weeks, Ken Nicolson and Jacqui Lewis, sorry I let your names off the reports. Also I would like to say again congratulations to all the contestants who took part in this years’ heats. It is not an easy thing to do, to get on stage and sing in front of an audience. All of the contestants this year have amazed me as to how much effort they have taken to dress up and look as stunning as their acts where. I will not single out any by name, but 1 girl caught my attention back stage, as she suffered from Asthma. On stage no one would have guessed, but when back stage she was out breath after performing. She is a glowing example of talent and overcoming problems and an example of the amazing professional attitudes of the contestants this year. For me this shows the true nature of this type of contest and its importance; it is a way for hidden talent to be shown and confidence to be built on.

This week’s fantastic winners are Suzanne Morris, Shaun Moran, Gina Harrison, Nick Donnelly, Barry Briercliffe and Penny Nicholls. Congratulations and we will see you at the finals.

To all at ABD Productions, well done for putting on an amazing show… We look forward to the finals as we expect it will be amazing!

Tickets for Final from £11.00 (no concessions) can be purchased on the night or in advance from the Southport Arts Center.

Click here to see more photos from the night...