Reviewing the Situation: Week Eight

Which Nancys will make it through to the semi final?

The race to the semi final is well and truly underway, with just five Nancys left. So which of the girls really wowed the judges this week?

After an energetic rendition of 'Consider Yourself', Jodie was first up singing 'Holding Out for a Hero'. John was impressed and said he felt she could definitely be in the semi final. 'You've proved you can move – you are my perfect Nancy!' Barry said it was a very warm and very mature beautiful performance. 'You also have the quality that Nancy has, that is you've been round the block a bit.' Denise said it was a fantastic performance vocally. 'You've got your breath under control – it was perfect, spot on.' Sadly Andrew was less complimentary. 'You sang it wonderfully, but I have to say the chorography, the little choreography you did was Meatloaf, I didn't like it.'

Next up was Rachel with Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You'. Last week Barry said she was more of an understudy than a leading lady. But this week she was very near a leading lady for him. However, he was still a little unmoved and felt there was an emotional ceiling Rachel needed to break through. John said it was a leading lady performance. 'You showed every emotion in your eye and if there's any justice you will be in the semi final.' Denise agreed but said she did understand what Barry said. 'As a female watching you can be a bit guarded and don't let us in and that can alienate people.' Andrew said she managed to communicate the lyrics. 'The only thing is that I'd really like to know who you are Rachel, and that's what you've got to work on.'

Samantha chose Defying Gravity, which went down with well with the judges. John said she nailed it vocally. 'Every weekend your star is rising, rising. You're so confident and secure. My only comment is that it was the same all the way through.' Barry loved it. 'You chose a difficult song and you took up that challenge and sung it magnificently.' Denise said she was pleased she could see light and shade in Samantha's performance. 'You do attitude with warmth.' Andrew had nothing but praise. 'You made a brilliant choice, which has taken you another notch. You're not quite yet a Celine Dion but you're potentially a wonderful singer and you're secure in the way you move. Of the girls, you're the best mover.'

After a musical interlude with the Olivers singing 'Reach', Jessie took to the stage to sing 'How Do I Live Without You'. Last week John was worried about her Irish lilt, but this week said he didn't hear it, but said he was struggling to see her as Nancy and that her performance was 'vanilla'. Denise said it as a good performance and well acted but said Jessie was unfeminine when she moved, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. 'It'd be interesting to see a tomboy Nancy.' Barry said he was very moved and that she shouldn't take adverse criticism to heart. 'You must stay with Jessie and trust in yourself.' Andrew was worried that she'd gone into an area of her voice that she wasn't happy with and that she was trying to be someone else.

Last up was Niamh singing 'Don't Speak', hoping to give a tougher performance. Sadly Denise didn't like it. 'That was more like a teenager having a tantrum than a leading lady.' John said it was vocally strong but that he did see a younger girl rather than an older girl. 'I'm also worried that that wouldn't register at the back of the stalls'. Barry said it was a gritty performance but said there was a serious technical problem in that Niamh was comparably small and the boys will look like giants clustering around her on stage. Andrew said he wasn't sure she was ready to do eight shows a week. 'Also your voice hasn't developed yet and I wouldn't want you to ruin it forever.'

Can you believe the final is only two weeks away? Don't forget to tune in tomorrow night at 7.30pm to find out which Nancy will sadly be on her way back home.