STRIKING A CHORD

14 March 2007

It's getting tight in the Fame Academy as the days ebb away.

As Friday's final approaches, the competition gets fiercer, the tension builds and the nerves get a little more frayed. What with their early starts and punishing schedule, they don't get much time to relax either. Until tonight.

The tightly wound students couldn't wait to get back to the Academy. And the tinkling of a piano beckoned them to the music room, only to find it had turned into a cocktail bar for the night - complete with bartender, grand piano and Jamie Cullum at the ivories.

"What a thrill!" cried Shaun, running to shake Jamie's hand and punching the air. Aw. "Pleasure to meet you!"

The celebrity students crowded in, looking delighted, then grabbed cocktails and joined Jamie around the piano. "Get yourself a drink, sit down and relax," explained Jamie. "You're supposed to unwind in your own bar." Complete with their very own superstar pianist, thrown in!

"I can play some songs, or I can play and you can sing," continued Jamie to the open-mouthed six, before running through a mixed bag of bluesy numbers, from Van Morrison to Radiohead and Elton John songs, while the celeb students made the most of their opportunity to sing with the star.

But with the choruses drawing on into the night, the fun was over as soon as it started, and Jamie had to put the lid down on his brief stint in the bar. In a flurry of hugs, a toast to the bartender and a final chord, he was gone.

As Tara took to the piano, the housemates reflected on Jamie's visit and their time in the Academy. "I've enjoyed every minute, it's been so much fun," admitted Ray. "Every minute has been sensational."

We know, Stubbsy.