ONLY two to go now as heat three finished on Thursday16, opening the night was rising star Siobhan McNally who is only 12 and currently attend Sacred Heart High School in Crosby. She has sang to Cherie Blair, preformed in 'Joseph And His Technicolor Dreamcoat' and 'Whistle Down The Wind' both at the Liverpool Empire Theatre and countless other events and shows. If you missed her fantastic performance from this budding star, "Don't Panic" as Capt. Mannering would have said, she will be appearing in Ann Daltons production of 'Her Benny' at the Royal Court Theatre from Wednesday 12th to Sunday 23rd November. Siobhan will play the part of young 'Eva' in this production. 

The nights contestants were as follows, from Preston Tweekie (Ian Beattie), Simon Bunting from Ormskirk, Lisa Cailes from Bootle, Wendy Clarke from Southport, Hannah from Hillside, Sandra Collins from Southport, Gareth Linaker from Southport, Robert Orford from Crosby with Jeanette Jarrel from Neston and Scott Dylan.

Surprise Surprise… The back stage gossip was that Lisa Cailes and Simon Bunting both went on Blind Date, and both said that they had the same experiences on the show. 

This week's competition was one of the toughest heats for the judges yet, as the standard was far closer to each other still than in the other heats. Winning this heat was Simon, who is still as mad as ever and with a wide blend of material to suit all age ranges he quickly won the audience and the judges. Simon constantly works cruises, clubs and theatres across the UK and Europe. Also playing 'Jazzer' in the sell out production of 'Her Benny' at the Liverpool Empire and soon to be repeat, this at the Royal Court Theatre, in November. He has taken part in several of Southport's Summer Showcases, so he is not shy to the line light and will prove to be a big contender at the finals on the 20 September at the Southport Theatre. Well worth a view. Coming in seconded and also going on to the finals was Wendy Clarke, who a member of the local group S.O.N.G. Her last appearance with them was as the Wicked Witch in their latest production "The Wizz". She has made many solo appearances in her own right and enjoys a wide variety of music. Apart from her singing skills Wendy has been dancing for 12 years and should be very entertaining in the finals. Lastly coming in third place was Lisa Cailes is constantly busy with pantomimes and cabaret and has had many TV appearances including "This Morning" and "Stars in their Eyes". She is a bright, new light of talent in our industry and is a very versatile impressionist as well as singer /dancer. Despite her busy schedule she is a very popular dance/ drama teacher and just opened her own dance school STARMAKERS in Aintree. Interestingly they appeared out side the Café Gardens in the Summer Showcase last weekend (click here to see). Lisa told us "I have never been so nervous. I was shaking like a leaf." I had to ask, "As you have been on TV and in countless productions and you teach, why were you so nerves?" She replied, "I have never been on stage doing a solo act like this before. The nearest thing was working for Prettypolly and I hated that experience. I have to say that being judged and also having an audience in front of you, who know you, is very hard. It is harder than teaching and I have to say a very big well done to all the other contestants who competed with me. All of them are extremely brave.  I will be back though next year."

Compere Simon Smithies said, "They are all very brave to go on and sing. It is a shame that they all can't go through."

Click to see more of the nights photographs.

Well done to all who took part in this heat. To see the last heats photos and report, click here…

The next Search for a Star Heat will be Heat 4 on the 21 August.  

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