Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Dani Rayner's (above left) West End dream is over as she becomes the third contestant to be eliminated from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One's Over The Rainbow.

After a public vote, Dani Rayner and Danielle Hope were the least popular Dorothys and Andrew Lloyd Webber decided to save Danielle Hope. So, Dani Rayner is the third Dorothy to leave the competition.

In yesterday's live show, all nine remaining Dorothy finalists performed solo renditions of pop songs to show viewers that they have the singing skill and sheer charisma to carry one of the most challenging roles in musical theatre.

After performing their songs and receiving feedback from Andrew Lloyd Webber and the expert panel of Sheila Hancock, Charlotte Church and John Partridge, the Dorothys faced a nervous wait for viewers to cast their votes.

On Dani's performance John said: "Nine boys, yet you came out centre front and sold it. You let the audience know what you were thinking and feeling. Your strongest performance to date."

Charlotte said: "I love that you're not self-conscious about giving it everything. Your voice gets nasel sometimes so be careful - listen as the note is coming out. It's only occasionally, other than that it was great."

Sheila added: "I didn't quite understand what the song was about from your performance, but it worked great as a pop song. From what I gather it's about a girl who doesn't want to commit - hardly Dorothy or your age group but you made a good crack at it. Would have liked more light or shade to clarify the emotion."

Andrew Lloyd Webber said: "This is not just a singing contest. This show is about getting the whole package together, not just singing. Can we believe in you, can you really move and feel the music?".

Before announcing who was in the bottom two, Graham asked each panel member who "wasn't Dorothy". Sheila said: "Jessica." John said: "Emilie," while Charlotte said: "Jenny."

Dani Rayner and Danielle Hope gained the least amount of public votes, and had to sing a rendition of Maybe This Time, from Cabaret.

Then it was up to Andrew Lloyd Webber alone to choose which Dorothy should be saved for another week. Andrew said: "Danielle Hope".

On hearing the announcement, Dani Rayner said: "Just to say thanks so much. I've learnt so much through this whole experience, it's been a long one but a great one. Good luck to all the girls still left in."

Safe for another week are Stephanie Davis, Lauren Samuels, Danielle Hope, Jessica Robinson, Steph Fearon, Emilie Fleming, Jenny Douglas and Sophie Evans.

The remaining hopefuls will go on to next week's show where they will again perform for the nation, who will decide who should be Dorothy in the new West End production of The Wizard Of Oz.

Notes to Editors

Dorothy solo performances:

Danielle Hope – Just A Little Girl, Amy Studt
Lauren Samuels – I'll Never Fall In Love Again, Dionne Warwick
Bronte Barbe – Suddenly I See, KT Tunstall
Jenny Douglas – Songbird, Eva Cassidy
Steph Fearon – It's Oh So Quiet, Bjork
Dani Rayner – Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, Michael Buble
Sophie Evans – That Don't Impress Me Much, Shania Twain
Stephanie Davies – Smile, Nat King Cole
Jessica Robinson – The Voice Within, Christina Aguilera
Emilie Fleming – The Boy Does Nothing, Alesha Dixon

Results show:

Opening performance – It Really Was No Miracle/Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead, The Wizard Of Oz
Group performance – Musical Theatre & Pop "mash-up" – Money, Money from Cabaret and Material Girl, Madonna
Get Happy, Judy Garland
Sing-off performance – What I Did For Love from A Chorus Line
Goodbye Song – We Thank You Sweetly/Over The Rainbow

CS