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You're not Nancy! – Niamh's dream is over
Niamh's dream is over as she becomes the eighth contestant to be
eliminated from Â鶹ԼÅÄ One's I'd Do Anything.
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After a public vote Rachel and Niamh were the least popular Nancys and Andrew Lloyd Webber decided to save Rachel.
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So Niamh is the eighth Nancy to leave the competition.
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In Saturday's live show, all five remaining Nancy finalists performed solo renditions of contemporary numbers chosen by themselves to show viewers that they have the skill and sheer charisma to carry one of the most challenging roles in musical theatre.
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The Nancys also performed a group number with some of last year's Josephs to Dancing In The Street.
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After performing their songs and receiving feedback from Andrew Lloyd Webber and the expert panel of John Barrowman, Denise Van Outen and Barry Humphries, the Nancys faced a nervous wait for viewers to cast their votes.
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On Niamh's performance, Denise said: "For me that lacked punch tonight. It was more like a teenager having a tantrum than a West End leading lady.
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"I do worry because you look so young Niamh and therefore have more to prove. And I haven't seen it and I'm now questioning whether you are more suited to the role of Bette, Nancy's best friend, than the role of Nancy."
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Barry said: "That was certainly gritty that, I think that's what you were aiming for. There is just one problem that I see and it's not your fault.
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"The star of the show is not Fagin, it's not Nancy, but Oliver Twist and a group of small boys. The fact of the matter is a question of scale, you are a comparatively small person so these boys are going to look like giants clustering around you. I see that as a serious technical problem."
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John said: "Vocally defiantly, she's strong, but for the first time I did see a younger girl rather than the older girl. You know I've been a supporter of yours.
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"I'm not sure that kind of performance would register at the back of the stalls like some of the performances that we've had before so tonight. That was not a Nancy performance."
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Rachel and Niamh gained the least amount of votes, and had to sing a rendition of one of Andrew's own songs, Another Suitcase In Another Hall from Evita in order to survive.
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Then it was up to Andrew Lloyd Webber alone to choose which Nancy should be saved for another week.
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Andrew said: "It's a very difficult song to sing and, Niamh, if I was casting Evita, I would seriously think of you for that role.
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"Rachel I thought you handled it well and you really warmed to the role.
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"It's a very difficult decision for me but ultimately tonight I have to save Rachel.
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"Niamh, your voice just needs time to mature and I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't up for a major leading role when you're 20."
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After hearing the announcement, Niamh said: "I'm absolutely gutted to be leaving the competition but I've had the most amazing two months of my whole life."
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Safe for another week were Jessie, Jodie, Rachel and Samantha.
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The remaining hopefuls go on to next week's semi final where they will again perform for the nation, who will decide who should be Nancy in the new Cameron Mackintosh West End production of Oliver!
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Notes to Editors
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Nancy solo performances on 17 May
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Jodie: Holding Out For A Hero, Bonnie Tyler
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Rachel: I Will Always Love You, Whitney Houston / Dolly Parton
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Samantha: Defying Gravity, from Wicked
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Jessie: How Do I Live, LeAnn Rimes
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Niamh: Don't Speak, No Doubt
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Group Performance: Nancys and the Josephs performed together to Dancing In The Street.
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Results show on 18 May
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Opening performance: Consider Yourself
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Group performance: I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair, from South Pacific
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Sing-off performance: Another Suitcase In Another Hall, from Evita
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CS/JD
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