Things aren't off to a good start when at least half the finalists look like they've wandered in off Week 3 of the The Apprentice but here they are, clockwise from top left: Miss Fitz (a sort of jazz-based covers band from London), Esma Akkilic (theatre school backÂground, vocal training since age of 14 etc etc etc), Alexis Gerred (a "showman" and Kent & Surrey Academy of Performing Arts graduate), Josh Dubovie (performed in Les Mis at school, currently performs at "charity evenings, festivals and sports events"), Uni5 (this lot have been put together specially for the show and all members have been to a perÂformÂing arts school of one sort or another — the one to watch is Sam Taylor), and Karen Harding (who at the age of 16 won a talent contest in Durham).
Next Friday they'll be attemptÂing to impress a panel including Pete Waterman and Bruno Tonoli.
Overseas readers: wish us luck.
