91Èȱ¬

Stephanie Davis's West End dream is over as she becomes the fifth contestant to be eliminated from 91Èȱ¬ One's Over The Rainbow.

After a public vote Steph and Stephanie were the least popular Dorothys and Andrew Lloyd Webber decided to save Steph. So Stephanie is the fifth Dorothy to leave the competition.

In yesterday's live show, all seven 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 Stephanie's performance John said: "You know I'm a fan of yours, but I didn't like it. I didn't know who Bojangles was, what you were singing about."

Charlotte interrupted, disagreeing with John: "I disagree, I thought you bought something really new and fresh to it Stephanie. Don't listen to John!"

Sheila added: "It would have been easier if you'd have told the story. You made up your mind at the beginning that he's a sad man. Saying that however, it's a difficult song."

Andrew Lloyd Webber said: "That's a very difficult bittersweet song, very difficult for a girl to sing: it's about a man in prison. You could maybe have told two sides to the story more."

Before announcing who was in the bottom two, Graham asked each panel member who "wasn't Dorothy".

John said: "Stephanie"; Charlotte said: "Sophie"; and Sheila said: "Stephanie".

Steph and Stephanie gained the least amount of public votes, and had to sing a rendition of Tell Me On A Sunday.

Then it was up to Andrew Lloyd Webber alone to choose which Dorothy should be saved for another week. Andrew said: "That song is ultimately about acting through the music. I know what both of you can do – you're both extraordinarily talented. I don't think this is the right pair of you, but all things considered the person I have to save is Steph."

On hearing the announcement Stephanie said: "I've had the most amazing time. I wasn't ready to go – I was really looking forward to musical theatre week. I really feel I had so much more to give. Girls I love you all, but I knew."

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

The remaining six hopefuls will go on to next week's show where six become four in a double-elimination special. One contestant will leave on Saturday night, and one will leave on Sunday. Panellist Charlotte Church will also be performing – live – an exclusive preview of the track The Actors from the album she is currently recording. This will be Charlotte's first solo performance on UK television for four years.

Charlotte commented: "I'm really looking forward to performing on the show next week. I so enjoyed singing with all the girls last week – it was brilliant fun and a real privilege. They're a hugely talented bunch."

As we approach the semi-final, our Dorothys once more perform for the nation, who will decide who should be Dorothy in the new West End production of Wizard Of Oz.

Notes to Editors

Main show

Opening performance: Don’t Rain On My Parade – from Funny Girl

Dorothy solo performances:
Lauren Samuels – The Man That Got Away, Judy Garland
Sophie Evans – What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong/Eva Cassidy/Katie Melua
Danielle Hope – Mambo Italiano, Rosemary Clooney
Steph Fearon – Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend, Moulin Rouge/Martine McCutcheon
Stephanie Davies – Mr Bojangles, Robbie Williams
Jenny Douglas – Feeling Good, Michael Buble
Jessica Robinson – Cabaret, Cabaret

Group performances:
The Trolly Song – Judy Garland

Results show

Opening performance: Don't Rain On My Parade – from Funny Girl
Mash Up – performed by all seven remaining Dorothys: Well Did You Evah (What A Swell Party) – High Society; Get The Party Started – Pink; Wild Thing – Tone Loc
Mission Song – performed by all seven remaining Dorothys: The Happening – The Supremes
Sing-off performance (bottom 2 Dorothys): Tell Me On A Sunday
Goodbye Song: We Thank You Sweetly / Over The Rainbow from The Wizard Of Oz

CS