Showbiz

I'd Do Anything's Niamh gets the boot but is told 'You'll be a star'

Updated 18:30pm on 19 May 2008

Niamh has become the eighth Nancy hopeful to be eliminated from BBC One's talent show I'd Do Anything.

Following a public vote, Rachel and Niamh, 17, emerged as the least popular contestants in tonight's results show and Andrew Lloyd Webber decided to save Rachel.

Niamh said: "I'm absolutely gutted to be leaving the competition but I've had the most amazing two months of my whole life."

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Hopeful: Lord Lloyd Weber says Niamh's voice needs 'time to mature' and we may see her in a leading role when she is 20

On the Saturday night live show, all five remaining performers sang solo renditions of contemporary songs in a bid to persuade judges they were the perfect candidate to land the lead role in the West End production of Oliver!

The Nancy hopefuls also performed a group number with some of last year's Josephs to Dancing In The Street.

Judge Denise Van Outen said Niamh's performance "lacked punch" while Barry Humphries expressed concern that she was too small physically for the part and John Barrowman said he saw Niamh as "a younger girl rather than an older girl". At 17, Niamh is one of the youngest contestants.

After Niamh and Rachel received the least votes, they were instructed to sing Another Suitcase In Another Hall from Evita.

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Grateful: Niamh says she has had 'the most amazing two months of my whole life'

While saving Rachel, Lord Lloyd-Webber praised Niamh for her performance of his song but said her voice needed time to mature.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't up for a major leading role when you're 20," he added.

The remaining hopefuls - Jesse, Jodie, Rachel and Samantha - go on to next Saturday's semi-final show when they will again perform in a bid to win the West End role.

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