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A tale of two Nancys: Jodie's joy after her shock win... but tears for judges' favourite Jessie
Last updated at 00:55am on 03.06.08
Former cruise ship singer Jodie Prenger , 28, looked overjoyed a day after people power landed her the part of Nancy in the forthcoming West End revival of Oliver!
With a wide smile on her face, she arrived to collect her things and start her new life in London as Sir Andrew Lloyd-Webber's leading lady.
But Jessie Buckley, the clear-cut choice of both Sir Andrew Lloyd-Webber and show producer Cameron Mackintosh - two of theatre land's most powerful people - still looked as inconsolable as she did on Saturday following her defeat in the public vote.
Walking around the courtyard at the Nancys home, where they stayed for the duration of the competition, a tearful Jessie, 18, failed to be comforted by her phonecall and was clearly still raw after the devastating loss.
Chuffed: 'I'd Do Anything' winner Jodie Prenger, looked over the moon yesterday, despite not getting the backing of Sir Andrew Lloyd-Webber or show producer Cameron Mackintosh
... but 18-year-old Jessie Buckley from Ireland looked tearful as she talked on her mobile in the grounds of the Nancy house after she lost out in Saturday's final
Despite, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Oliver! producer Cameron Mackintosh making it clear they preferred finalist Jessie, Miss Prenger, 28, sobbed with joy after she was announced as the winner of the public vote in the final of BBC1's I'd Do Anything show on Saturday.
Asked before the vote was announced who was 'their' Nancy, both Sir Andrew and Mr Mackintosh - who wasn't a judge on the show - opted for the 18-year-old from County Kerry following her stunning performances on the night.
But despite the vote of no confidence, Jodie said proving them wrong gave her extra motivation. She told The Mirror: "It gave me more fire in my belly.
"I'll fight to prove to Cameron that I can be his Nancy and that I will give him the best Nancy he has ever seen."
The new Nancy: Winner Jodie Prenger was completely shocked after she was announced as the winner...
...but the runner-up was soon in floods of tears as her defeat sank in
Overjoyed: Presenter Graham Norton congratulated the new stage star on her win
When host Graham Norton announced she was the winner. She could barely speak, before managing to say: 'All you guys, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. I'm just so chuffed.'
Her story was perhaps the most compelling of all the 12 original Nancy wannabes to make it onto the live show.
Size 14 Jodie , who was working as a weight-loss agony aunt, won Living TV's Biggest Loser by slimming from 20st to nine in six months.
Lord Lloyd-Webber claimed after the result was announced: 'It was always going to be the people's choice.'
While Mackintosh, who earlier in the week cuttingly dismissed Miss Prenger as 'too big' for the role, added: 'I'm thrilled for Jodie. Congratulations.'
Biggest loser: Jodie shed 10st in reality show the biggest loser, giving her the confidence to reach for her dream
Theatre impresario Cameron had said he felt she was too fat for the physically demanding role.
But today Jodie responded: 'I'm a size 14, an average woman. Nowt special. Whatever size you are, it doesn't matter as long as you're healthy and happy.
'But I've been through it - I've been size 26 and have gone through turmoil. But I don't want to make a huge issue out of it. That's what upsets women.
'Ok, I'm never going to be a size zero - the closest I'll get to that is my shoe size. But before I came into this I was jogging five miles every other day. I can do it, don't worry.'
Dream come true: Jodie can't quite believe it, after she is announced as the winner of the coveted West End role
Winner Jodie was the first to console competitor Jessie...
In the early part of the show, the three finalists sang solo and then performed with one of the three boys already selected to play the role of Oliver.
Samantha Barks, 17, was eliminated in the first round of voting, meaning Miss Prenger and Miss Buckley went head to head.
Miss Prenger sang Whitney Houston hit I Have Nothing while her fellow finalist sang The Man That Got Away - their favourite out of songs they have performed during the series.
They then had to sing Nancy's solo - I'd Do Anything - one after another before the final public vote was counted and the winner announced.
Miss Prenger had been the favourite to win, with Miss Buckley receiving more and more criticism from the judges in the last few rounds.
Grace under pressure: Samantha Barks accepted defeat gracefully, and looked in pretty good spirits as she arrived to move out of the Nancy house
It's all over: Samantha takes the news gracefully
But Miss Buckley put in two barnstorming performances in the final, so much so that both the 'Lord' and Mr Mackintosh said it was her they wanted as their Nancy.
The public, however, did not agree and it was Miss Prenger's name that was read out by host Graham Norton.
Miss Prenger will now have six months of intense rehearsals before Oliver! hits the West End stage.
Three young actors, Harry Stott, 12, and Gwion Jones and Laurence Jeffcoate, both 11, will rotate in the title role.
And comic star Rowan Atkinson will star as Fagin. Previews begin on December 12 with the show scheduled to open on January 14.
Say goodbye: Jessie and Jodie take Samantha's 'Nancy' pendant
THE TWO WOULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING - AND THE ONE WHO SUCCEEDED
THIRD RUNNER UP: Samantha Barks
Age: 17
Occupation: Student
The story so far: Samantha moved away from the Isle of Man when she was 16 and is currently studying in London. Despite being the show's youngest contestant, she is no stranger to performing. She recently entered a Maltese TV International Song competition and won, before releasing an album, Looking in Your Eyes. She has also supported the Sugababes and Matt Willis on the Isle of Man. Samantha, whose hero is Catherine Zeta Jones, has captured the eyes of the judges after performing in hotpants, a minidress and thigh-high boots.
What the judges say: 'I just know you've got a huge career ahead of you.'
The judges still tip Samantha for a huge musical career
SECOND RUNNER-UP: Jessie Buckley
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
The story so far: Jessie is from Co Kerry in Ireland. She has been performing since the age of 7, when she starred in a school production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. However, despite her early promise, Jessie was turned down for a place at two London drama schools and ended up working as a waitress. Encouraged by her musical parent, she has impressed judges with her singing and dancing, with Lloyd Webber marking her out as an 'extraordinary performer'.
What the judges say: 'Jessie has the qualities Nancy needs - defiance and tenderness.'
Jessie was both Sir Andrew and Cameron Mackintosh's choice for Nancy
THE WINNER: Jodie Prenger
Age: 28
Occupation: Singer
The story so far: Jodie began singing in local cabaret bars in her hometown of Blackpool before forging a career performing on cruise ships. She announced herself to the public by winning the second series of TV dieting show Britain's Biggest Loser in 2006. Initially entering the show as a size 26 she is no a slender size 14. However, judge Andrew Lloyd Webber has revealed that the show's producer Cameron Mackintosh had questioned if she was slim enough to win the part of Nancy.
What the judges say: 'She is destined for the West End.'
Victorious: Jodie Prenger will be the one treading the boards in six months time
Reader views (6)
Jessie was fantastic what next for this talented girl Mr Webber?
- Sydney, Exeter England
Jessie should have won, no doubt about it. I always liked Jodie but she didn't once move me the way Jessie did. Her performance with Gwion was a joy to behold as was her version of "As long as he needs me". She was stunning. Jodie will need to watch a DVD of herself singing it to see how aggressive she looked. Not a winning performance for me. I hope ALW takes Jessie under his wing now and sees she becomes the star she deserves to be.
- Susan, London
Jessie was robbed! Although I don't usually like these kinds of programmes, and tend to get pulled into them later in the day by my younger daughter, I watched this competition from the start, and we were all completely captivated by Jessie. In my opinion she was the only girl who had 'true star quality'. She is extremely beautiful and unique, plus she was the only one who actually made us cry through at least two of her songs - as she has true spirit combined with vulnerability. I would imagine that Andrew Lloyd... and Cameron Mackintosh are absolutely gutted she lost. Now their billboards will be graced with Jodie, instead of the delicately gorgeous Jessie. It was so refreshing to see a young woman who did not have the obligatory long straight dyed blonde hair and tarty, cold, high street look. She tossed her wonderful red curls with pride and dignity and she had the talent to match these bewitching looks. Denise and Barrymore did themselves no favours with their ridiculous comments against her. They came over as bitchy, and will most probably rue the day - as Jessie she will be a far greater star than either of these mediocre talents. I'm sorry... I liked Jodie (who could not?). She is warm and lovable, but she is 'not' Jessie and she will be a 'safe' Nancy. I would not book up to see her, more likely I would get on a cruise ship. The British public are 'not' always right. Jessie was robbed.
- Polly East, Muswell Hill, London
I was absolutely mortified for Jessie Saturday...
My whole family were routing for her, She has immense Talent, Charisma, Feeling and Passion in her performances something that Jodie did NOT possess.
Jodie sounds like your typical Pub singer and always looks aggressive when performing not like the show should be.... Personally I do not think Jodie is mentally or physically ready for this, as all she proved through the show was she was a blubber all she did was CRY at minor things... You need thick skin for this industry otherwise she will not last five minutes
I have come from a performing back ground and certainly would never have been selected for a West End show being a bit larger than life in the weight category.... Plus I have performed in Matinee & Evening performances for months on end ... She does not know what is going to hit her.
Clearly Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Cameron Mackintosh and Barry Humphries are right that ''Jessie is a winner'' and we all certainly saw the massive disappointment in the 3 professionals faces that night.
It is a Farce I will not be going to watch the show
- Kirsty C, South Wales
I hate to say I told you so (on Friday's LondonLite edition) but... I told you so!!
The best girl won by far - Well done Jodie you were the only real contender.
Cant wait to go and see you and Rowan next year.
- Linda B, Glasgow Scotland
Whilst I am glad for Jodie who has won the role of Nancy, she is a lovely warm character and has a strong voice, I feel Jessie was Nancy, she was just right for the part and should be in the West End playing the part of Nancy in January.
Jessie was so vulnerable yet strong and determined throughout the series, especially after John Barrowman and Denise Van Outen really didn't want her to be Nancy, and as the weeks went by they made it clear with comments such as; inconsistent and Barrowman's remark 'a fish out of water'. OK Jessie has an Irish accent, she should have brought this to the part and given it her stamp and not changed Jessie, remember the Irish were in London at the time the play was written.
If the criteria was Nancy has to be a Cockney then why put Jessie through in the first place if they thought she was not capable of learning the accent? They knew she could do it, and she would have had six months to prepare.
Thank goodness for Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Cameron Mackintosh and
Barry Humphries who loved Jessie and could see she was Nancy.
If Sir Cameron Mackintosh or Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber read this, please help Jessie to fulfil her dream of a leading role in a West End musical. Good luck Jessie for the future and well done Jodie. As Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber said, 'Jessie will break your heart' and she has.
- Celia Lowe, Lancashire
