THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

15 March 2007

First up tonight was Fred with a spirited performance of Glad All Over. He picked up a thwacking from the judges last night, following a few nights of missing his cues and fluffing his timing. But, brimming with confidence onstage tonight, he wasn't about to get another. Despite getting a "second rate and out of tune" from Richard, Craig and Lesley were full of praise. "The best performance you've done to date," Craig told him. Phew.

Tara's been on the up and up, winning over both the judges and viewers. After last night's sassy performance, she pinned back the attitude for a sleeker Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow. The judges acknowledged that it was a tougher song and that she'd pulled it off. "You lit up the room, you've done it again," cheered Richard.

Last night was a tough one for Ray, who received a critical downpour from the judges. But, more positive than ever, he bounced back tonight with a solid take of The Sweetest Thing. And what did they think? "Awful," concluded Craig, but he was the lone negative voice. Richard and Lesely both gushed with approval.

Tricia's got the best voice in the competition, according to Lesley. And Tricia showed her talent, and mettle, tonight by blasting through If I Ain't Got You. The judges were unanimous with their praise. "Fantastic," said Craig. And Lesley was beside herself: "The best song in the entire competition, the best singing we've had!"

He scraped back into the Academy last night on the student vote, but is Colin's time up? Maybe, if the judges' verdict of Blueberry Hill is anything to go by. Tonight Richard told him he lacked drive, and Lesley acknowledged he had difficulties.

Swing Sunday was an emotional night for Angellica, whose performance was buried by the judges. Fittingly for tonight, she sang Manic Monday. But once again the judges weren't feeling it. "It went right past me," grumbled Richard. "The vocals were weak," nodded Craig, but Lesley thought it was Angellica's best yet. Will this lot ever make up their minds?

Rounding off tonight's show was Shaun, who the judges agreed was brilliant last night. But with a shocking bottom three placing, he had to rely on their votes to save him. Tonight the challenge was nailing Something Inside So Strong. And Lesley loved it, calling Shaun's performance "phenomenal".