i chat with wynne, aka gio compare man, and have asked if he will lend midge his tash for the show, just need to ask rolando if he will spare some hair, as he has plenty lol

tweet from Midge this morning -

Standing in the Royal Opera House. Its stunning but no PA system ! These guys can sing loudly !!!

i got tickets to the preview show, on the saturday, so will be able to report back, how midge is doing

any broadcast dates for the programme(s) yet, do we know?

M

starting Sunday Jun 5th for 6 weeks
( though we will obviously stop watching after 1 week , if Midge gets knocked out first

I won't be watching it anyway but I don't think that will happen. As I mentioned earlier I think Cheryl Baker will go first. I think Midge will be 3rd or 4th to go.

couple of shows on ITV to look out for prior to first live show next Sunday

Friday 3rd June morning @11:30 - Appearance by all 8 contestants on Good Morning

Saturday 4th June evening @9:00 - Pop Star to Opera star: The Curtain raiser
"Myleene Klass presents a preview show ahead of the new series of Popstar to Operastar in which she reveals the stars taking part and the critics who will be judging them. The contestants talk about how they feel about going back to basics and learning to sing all over again. Plus there is a sensational duet from the singers' mentors - international mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins and world-class tenor Rolando Villazon. The celebrities stepping up in this year's show are Erasure's Andy Bell, Cheryl Baker, Claire Richards from Steps, former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton, Jocelyn Brown, Joe McElderry, Midge Ure and Toploader's Joseph Washbourn"

Sorry, I won't be watching this programme.I can't stand reality tv of any kind. I'm surprised Midge is lowering himself by appearing on it.

Do the winnings go to charity?

I'm surprised too!
Really... i hate those reality shows!

I hate to say it but...

...IMHO the cynic is me says 'There is a forthcoming album to promote'.... so there is a need to up one's presence on popular tv and increase awareness of Midge's/Ultravox's talent...


If it helps Ultravox increase their forthcoming album sales then I certainly won't knock Midge's motivation (if that is what it is)...

Of course that is just my take on things and I am probably very wide of the mark.

Good luck to Midge I say. He is known for getting English lyrics in the wrong order so it will be interesting to see how the Italian goes....Of course I wouldn't have a clue if he sung it all backwards!

Yes, I'll be making a big exception too for this... after all (after three) 'any publicity is good...'

So it does look like an autumn/late autumn campaign. And if he does well on the show it would be great if Universal stumped up for a TV campaign off the back of it too.

Oh yes, and Midge for the Scottish Rock'n'Roll hall of fame too!

Rob

website updated with some video clips

http://www.itv.com/popstartooperastar/celebrities/

direct link to Midge at -

http://www.itv.com/popstartooperastar/celebrities/midge-ure/

Let us know before Sunday - I'm going to that taping

Never been a fan of "reality" shows but at least this one's about singing, not sitting on one's backside for months on end. Wish my mum was still around though, she was an opera singer and would be very interested in seeing how our Midge "performs"

does anyone know if Midge is lined up for the first "proper" show on Sunday 5th or the second one on Sunday 12th ( there are 4 contestants on each of the first 2 shows ) ?

I see that Meat Loaf has been sacked from the judging panel for telling the truth

http://www.list.co.uk/article/34778-popstar-to-operastar-judges-change/

There are no "winnings" as such , but a percentage of the money generated by the viewers phone-in votes will be going to the Nordoff-robbins music therapy charity -
see

http://www.itv.com/popstartooperastar/charity/

david i have looked around to find out if midge is on the first show, i have been looking on the celebs fan sites, many think it will be young joe and midge on week one, but i have found no comfirmation, andy bell has posted he will be on week 2, so looks like we will have to wait and see, unless i hear different on saturday, i will post up any thing i know to my fb page, am sure it will be passed on and will turn up on here xxxx

midge and the gang on this morning at 12.10

Wearing a very nice suit I noticed and not the hint of a patterned shirt.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSb8fcC84vI

Trying to interview 10 people in less than 10 minutes means not a lot of Midge , but at least he made an effort to dress up for the occasion

thanks for the video david l, you have made a lot of people happy,xxxxx

no problem - good to know my efforts are appreciated

oh yes i tried to get it up online but was taking ages, i have friends who are rolando fans,(like myself), who can not see this so, this means the world to them, so thanks from them also xxxx

Tonights preview show wasnt particularly great.

I have uploaded 3 short sections

First one is a different edit of the Midge preview that appeared on the itv website last week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKliiuILfj4

Second is interview with first 4 contestants ( which implies that Midge is on tomorrow , rather than next Sunday )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWngvfuIWos

And finally - a visit to the Royal Opera House

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5tplj1RX3w

I must say that suit really does look quality. Nice one Midge!

I agree. No idea what the motivation is but its certainly good publicity. About time and well timed I think Good to see Midge trending on Twitter!

I actually hate reality TV but I'll make an exception for this - at least it involves some talent and seems a better class of reality TV rather than the 'big brother' kind of sketch - or, worse still, becoming a judge on xfactor!!!

This may be of interest...
Express interview with Midge

I like how they crop him out of the photo they use to illustrate the interview.

Ok so he is on tonight's show - good