I'd Do Anything (BBC TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = I'd Do Anything


caption =
format = Talent show
picture_format = 16:9, 576i / 1080i HDTV
runtime = 30–90mins
creator =
presenter = Graham Norton
judges = Andrew Lloyd Webber John Barrowman Denise Van Outen Barry Humphries Cameron Mackintosh
channel = BBC One, BBC HD
first_aired = 15 March, 2008
last_aired =
31 May, 2008
num_series = 1
num_episodes = 22
country = United Kingdom
company = BBC
preceded_by = "Any Dream Will Do"
followed_by =
website = http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver
imdb_id = 1216426

"I'd Do Anything" was a 2008 talent show-themed television series produced by the BBC in the United Kingdom and broadcast on BBC One.cite news | last = Reeve-Crook | first = Antony | title = BBC follows Maria and Joseph with Oliver! | publisher = C21 Media | date = 2007-12-21 | url = http://www.c21media.net/news/detail.asp?area=74&article=39212 | accessdate = 2007-12-22 ] It premièred on 15 March 2008.cite news | title = It's almost showtime... | publisher = BBC | date =2008-03-07 | url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/03/07/53414.shtml | accessdate =2008-03-07 ] The show searched for a new, unknown lead to play Nancy and three young performers who will take it in turns to play Oliver in a West End revival of the British musical "Oliver!".

The show, named after the song "I'd Do Anything", was hosted by Graham Norton with Andrew Lloyd Webber again overseeing the programme,cite news | last = Darvell | first = Michael | title = Andrew to help BBC find Oliver! | publisher = Andrew Lloyd Webber | date = 2008-12-21 | url =http://www.andrewlloydwebber.com/sections/news/newsdb.php?article=118 | accessdate =2008-02-03 ] together with theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh. In January 2008, John Barrowman confirmed he would be taking part in the show.cite news | last = Hemley | first = Matthew | title =The torch-bearer - John Barrowman | publisher = The Stage | date =2008-01-08 | url =http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/feature.php/19479/the-torch-bearer-john-barrowman | accessdate =2008-01-10 ] The BBC also confirmed in late February 2008 that Barry Humphries would join Barrowman and Denise Van Outen (who was previously the presenter of the US Broadway reality show "") on the judging panel of the show. [cite news | title =Barry Humphries to join panel of I'd Do Anything
publisher = BBC | date =2007-02-28 | url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/02_february/28/humphries.shtml | accessdate =2007-02-28 ] cite news | title = Meet the judges! | publisher = BBC | date =2008-02-28 | url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/02/28/53212.shtml | accessdate =2008-03-07 ]

Auditions for the show began in January 2008,cite news | title =BBC One announces its search for stars of Oliver! | publisher = BBC | date =2007-12-21 | url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/12_december/21/oliver.shtml | accessdate =2007-12-21 ] with the show airing on BBC One throughout March, April and May 2008. In the final, on 31 May, Jodie Prenger was announced as the winner of the series.

Format

Commissioned after the success of the two similar BBC series "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?" and "Any Dream Will Do", the series followed the same format to find a new unknown lead, but with two roles rather than one as in the previous two series. However, whilst the format for the Nancy was the same with the public choosing the winner, the three boys who will play the part of Oliver were chosen by the judging panel.

Criteria

Auditions took place in 2008; in Belfast on 24 January, Manchester on 26-27 January, London from 1 to 3 February and Glasgow on 6 February with auditions for both parts taking place at the same venues and dates.cite news | last = Darvell | first = Michael | title = I’d Do Anything – Lionel Bart’s Oliver – Graham Norton & Andrew Lloyd Webber reunite on BBC1 Television to find a new Nancy and three new Olivers | publisher = classicalsource.com | date =January 2008 | url =http://www.classicalsource.com/db_control/db_features.php?id=5369 | accessdate =2008-02-03 ]

;NancyFor the role of Nancy applicants needed to be aged 17 or over on 1 January 2008, with the playing age being 17-35. Entry was open to both amateur and professional performers. Stages one and two were the same as for the part of Oliver. At stage three though, the call-backs took place between 16 and 18 February when the show's panel interviewed the auditionees. There were then workshops and final audition performances between 21 and 26 February; and throughout mid-March, April and May for the television show. The "Nancys" had to impress the panel in the first two shows and, from programme three, they also had to gain viewer support to stay in with a chance of winning the role of Nancy.

;OliverFor the role of Oliver applicants needed to be at least nine on 1 January 2008 and no older than 14 on 31 December 2008 with the part of Oliver being from nine to twelve years old. The auditions were in two stages. Those who made it through to the second stage were filmed and then twelve young performers went through to stage three, the live television show where each week they learned a piece to perform on the show. Eight boys went through to the semi-final. Three boys were then chosen in the final stage, with one of the final three performing at the press night of Oliver! Following expert advice in providing a duty of care to child contributors, the BBC announced on 13 March that the boys would not face a public vote, and that each week the "Olivers" would be performing musical tasks, learning the tricks of the theatre trade and also perform as a group, before the judging panel make their final choices.cite news | title = No viewer vote for BBC's Oliver | publisher = BBC News | date = 2008-03-13 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7293671.stm | accessdate = 2008-03-24]

Auditions

The first programme, which aired on 15 March, charted the journeys of thousands of auditionees as they begin their quest for stardom in the regional auditions.

For the role of Nancy, just over a hundred girls were called to London to perform before the panel, consisting of John Barrowman, Denise Van Outen and David Grindrod. Those who stood out then had the chance to win a place at "Nancy School", the next stage in the competition. For the role of Oliver, fifty young boys were selected to work with musical theatre experts before the final twelve were chosen for the live shows by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh.

The second programme, which aired on 22 March, focussed mainly on the 42 girls at Nancy School and the procedure of finding the final twelve girls to compete in the weekly live show for the part of Nancy. The twelve boys who will compete on the live show for the part of Oliver were also introduced throughout the programme.

Weekly format

;Saturday - LiveThe show opens with a group number by the Nancys and Olivers. Each Nancy then performs a song, with feedback provided by the panel and Lloyd Webber. The public votes for the contestant they wish to keep in the show. Voting closes shortly after the broadcast of the Saturday programme.

Footage of the Olivers' progress is shown, during which Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh select one to proceed through to the semi-final.

;Sunday - Recorded after live show on Saturdays.The Oliver who was announced as a semi-finalist takes the lead with the other Olivers in a song. After the results of the public vote have been processed, the two Nancys with the least number of votes enter a "sing-off". Lloyd Webber then chooses which Nancy from the "sing-off" to save each week. The eliminated Nancy takes the lead in their sing-out medley of "Be Back Soon" and "As Long as He Needs Me".

Finalists

Nancy

Twelve potential Nancys made it through the audition rounds and performed during the live shows.cite news | title = Nancy Contestants | publisher = BBC | date =2008-03-22 | url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/contestants/nancy/index.shtml | accessdate =2008-03-22 ] cite news | last = Shenton | first = Mark | title = A Dozen "Nancy" Finalists Announced in Oliver! Reality Casting Series| publisher = Playbill | date = 2008-03-23 | url = http://www.playbill.com/news/article/116188.html | accessdate = 2008-03-24] In the final, on 31 May 2008, Jodie Prenger was announced as the winner.

* as of the start of the series

In the week leading up to the second programme a story arose in the national media that one of the "Nancys", Francesca Jackson, is a friend of judge Denise Van Outen. They had met when they both appeared in the musical "Rent Remixed". The BBC responded by stating that "Denise and Francesca have worked together. It will be clear to viewers they have. Francesca gained her place on merit." cite news | last = Roberts | first = Brian | title = I'd Do Anything finalist Francesca Jackson friends with judge Denise Van Outen | publisher = Daily Mirror | date = 2008-03-19 | url = http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/latest/2008/03/19/i-d-do-anything-finalist-francesca-jackson-friends-with-judge-denise-van-outen-89520-20355616/ | accessdate = 2008-03-24]

Oliver

Twelve potential Olivers made it through the audition rounds and performed in the live shows. cite news | title = BBC names 12 Oliver TV hopefuls | publisher = BBC News | date = 2008-03-23 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7309703.stm | accessdate = 2008-03-24] cite news | title = Meet the Olivers! | publisher = BBC | date =2008-03-23 | url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/03/23/53793.shtml | accessdate =2008-03-23 ] Gwion Jones, Harry Stott and Laurence Jeffcoate were announced as the three winning Olivers in week nine on 24 May.cite news|title= You Are Oliver! The Three Winners are Gwion, Harry and Laurence|publisher= BBC|date= 2008-05-24|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/05/24/55132.shtml|accessdate= 2008-05-25] cite web|last= Shenton|first= Mark|title= Jones, Stott and Jeffcoate Will Be Oliver in London Revival of Lionel Bart Musical|publisher= Playbill News|date= 2008-05-28|url= http://www.playbill.com/news/article/118133.html|accessdate= 2008-05-31]

* as of the start of the series

Live shows

Week one (29/30 March)

Gwion was announced as the first Oliver semi-finalist on the Saturday show and Amy was the first Nancy to be eliminated in the Results show on Sunday.

The show performances and missions were:cite news | title = Music on the Night | publisher = BBC | date =2008-03-29 | url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/03/29/53904.shtml | accessdate =2008-03-29 ]

*Group performances:
**Nancys and Olivers: "I'd Do Anything"
**Olivers: "Food Glorious Food"
**Nancys: "Sound of the Underground"
**Gwion and the Olivers: "Bright Eyes"

*Individual performances (in order of performance):
**Jessie: "River Deep - Mountain High"
**Jodie: "Chasing Pavements"
**Tara: "Suddenly I See"
**Ashley: "Black Velvet"
**Amy: "Respect"
**Keisha: "Mad About the Boy"
**Francesca: "Hero"
**Rachel: "About You Now"
**Samantha: "I Love Rock 'n' Roll"
**Sarah: "Get Here"
**Cleo: "Who Knew"
**Niamh: "The First Cut Is the Deepest"

*Missions:
**Nancys: Working in an East End market
**Olivers: Learning magic tricks with Paul Kieve

*Sing-off:
**Amy and Francesca were in the sing-off, with Amy having received the lowest number of viewers votes. They sang "Tell Me on a Sunday" (from the musical of the same name).
**Andrew Lloyd Webber chose to save Francesca and eliminate Amy.cite news | title = Reviewing the Situation: Week One Result | publisher = BBC | date =2008-03-30 | url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/03/30/53906.shtml | accessdate =2008-03-30 ]

Week two (5/6 April)

Chester was announced as the second Oliver semi-finalist on the Saturday showcite news | title = He Could be Oliver! | publisher = BBC | date =2008-04-05 | url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/04/05/54073.shtml | accessdate =2008-04-06 ] and Cleo was the second Nancy to be eliminated in the Results show on Sunday

The show performances and missions were:
*Group performances:
**Nancys: "Oom-Pah-Pah"
**Olivers: "Electricity" from "Billy Elliot the Musical"
**Nancys: "Enough is Enough"
**Chester and the Olivers: "Pie Jesu"

*Individual performances (in order of performance):
**Niamh: "I've Got the Music in Me"
**Cleo: "Feeling Good"
**Keisha: "Get the Party Started"
**Samantha: "See the Day"
**Francesca: "Somebody to Love"
**Rachel: "Beautiful"
**Sarah: "Piece of My Heart"
**Tara: "Without You"
**Jodie: "I'm Every Woman"
**Ashley: "Mercy"
**Jessie: "Killing Me Softly with His Song"

*Missions:
**Nancys: Facing their fears interacting with rats and acting with Steven Hartley as Bill Sykes
**Olivers: Acting class in the West End at "Billy Elliot the Musical"

*Sing-off:
**Cleo and Keisha were in the sing-off, with Keisha having received the lowest number of viewers votes. They sang "I Know Him So Well" (from the musical "Chess").
**Andrew Lloyd Webber chose to save Keisha and eliminate Cleo. cite news | title = Reviewing the Situation: Week Two Result | publisher = BBC | date =2008-04-06 | url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/04/06/54075.shtml | accessdate =2008-04-06 ]

Week three (12/13 April)

Arthur was announced as the third Oliver semi-finalist on the Saturday show and Tara was the third Nancy to be eliminated in the Results show on Sunday.

The show performances and missions were:
*Group performances:
**Nancys: "It's a Fine Life"
**Olivers: "Teamwork" from "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
**Nancys: "Good Morning Baltimore" from the musical "Hairspray"
**Arthur and the Olivers "A Whole New World" from the film "Aladdin"

*Individual performances (in order of performance):
**Rachel: "Oh, What a Night" from the musical "Jersey Boys"
**Sarah: "Maybe This Time" from the musical "Cabaret"
**Francesca: "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" from the film "Dirty Dancing"
**Keisha: "The Lady Is a Tramp" from the musical "Babes in Arms"
**Ashley: "The Winner Takes It All" from the musical "Mamma Mia!"
**Jodie: "Send in the Clowns" from the musical "A Little Night Music"
**Niamh: "Moon River" from the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's"
**Jessie: "One Night Only" from the musical "Dreamgirls"
**Tara: "Let's Hear It for the Boy" from the film "Footloose"
**Samantha: "Somewhere" from the musical "West Side Story"

*Missions:
**Nancys: Losing their inhibitions by performing the love scene from the musical "Hairspray" with Ben James-Ellis in front of their fathers.
**Olivers: Learning teamwork and stamina at Tottenham Hotspur Training Academy with club captain, Robbie Keane.

*Sing-off:
**Keisha and Tara were in the sing-off, with Keisha having received the lowest number of viewers votes. They sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (from the film "The Wizard of Oz").
**Andrew Lloyd Webber chose to save Keisha and eliminate Tara.

Week four (19/20 April)

Kwayedza was announced as the fourth Oliver semi-finalist on the Saturday show and Francesca was the fourth Nancy to be eliminated in the Results show on Sunday

The show performances and missions were:
*Group performances:
**Nancys and Olivers: "Consider Yourself"
**Olivers: "I Whistle a Happy Tune"
from "The King and I"
**Nancys: "Viva Las Vegas"
**Kwayedza and the Olivers: "I'll Be There"

*Individual performances (in order of performance):
**Jodie: "Working 9 to 5"
**Samantha: "Hurt"
**Ashley: "I Wanna Dance with Somebody"
**Niamh: "Wind Beneath My Wings"
**Keisha: "My Heart Will Go On"
**Jessie: "Why Do Fools Fall in Love"
**Sarah: "Midnight Train to Georgia"
**Francesca: "What's Love Got to Do with It"
**Rachel: "The Way We Were"

*Missions:
**Nancys: Performing "I'm Not That Girl" from the musical "Wicked" in front of a West End audience at the Apollo Victoria Theatre
**Olivers: Testing their bravery by abseiling

*Sing-off:
**Ashley and Francesca were in the sing-off, with Ashley having received the lowest number of viewers votes. They sang "Whistle Down The Wind" (from the musical of the same name).
**Andrew Lloyd Webber chose to save Ashley and eliminate Francesca.

Week five (26/27 April)

Alexander was announced as the fifth Oliver semi-finalist on the Saturday show and Keisha was the fifth Nancy to be eliminated in the Results show on Sunday.

The show performances and missions were:
*Group performances:
**Nancys and Olivers: "You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two"
**Olivers: "It's the Hard Knock Life" from "Annie"
**Nancys: Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves
**Alexander and the Olivers: Can You Feel the Love Tonight from "The Lion King"

*Individual performances (in order of performance):
**Niamh: "Valerie"
**Rachel: "I'm With You"
**Jessie: "Stop!"
**Sarah: "Ironic"
**Keisha: "I'm Outta Love"
**Ashley: "Evergreen"
**Samantha: "Since U Been Gone"
**Jodie: "I Have Nothing"

*Missions:
**Nancys: Testing their physical fitness by rowing and teamwork by then racing in two teams
**Olivers: Learning stage fighting

*Sing-off:
**Keisha and Niamh were in the sing-off, with Keisha having received the lowest number of viewers votes. They sang "The Rose" (from the film of the same name).
**Andrew Lloyd Webber chose to save Niamh and eliminate Keisha. Before announcing his decision he said, "First, I'm going to say this is a complete and utter travesty, neither of you should be in the bottom two, it's completely wrong. I've been put into a situation that I have never wanted to be in. For the first time on a television show, I am angry." And after choosing to eliminate Keisha, he told her, "You were absolutely wonderful. I think you have a huge career ahead of you and all I can say is that I'll do anything I can to help you."cite episode
title = I'd Do Anything
series = 1
airdate = 2008-04-27
season =
number = 12] cite news | title = Reviewing the Situation: Week Five Result | publisher = BBC | date =2008-04-27 | url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/04/27/54593.shtml | accessdate =2008-04-28 ]

Week six (3/4 May)

Harry was announced as the sixth Oliver semi-finalist on the Saturday show and Sarah was the sixth Nancy to be eliminated in the Results show on Sunday. The Olivers voted to choose one Nancy to perform with them on the Results Show and chose Sarah. Andrew Lloyd Webber worked with each of the Nancys in the week before the show to improve their performance, focusing on their acting abilities. He also gave each Nancy a "master class" to learn the sing-off song.

The show performances and missions were:
*Group performances:
**Nancys and Olivers: "Who Will Buy?"
**Olivers: "Breaking Free" from "High School Musical"
**Nancys: "Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be" from the musical of the same name
**Sarah, Harry and the Olivers: "Together (Wherever We Go)" from the musical ""

*Individual performances (in order of performance), all with big band songs:
**Jodie: "Luck Be a Lady" from "Guys and Dolls"
**Sarah: "Mr. Bojangles"
**Rachel: "For Once in My Life"
**Samantha: "Sway"
**Niamh: "They Can't Take That Away from Me"
**Jessie: "The Man that Got Away" from "A Star Is Born"
**Ashley: "Big Spender" from "Sweet Charity"

*Missions:
**Nancys: Improving their acting skills acting a piece from Blood Brothers and improving their cockney accent in an East End pub with actress Barbara Windsor
**Olivers: Working with the cast of "High School Musical on Stage!" learning how to take direction

*Sing-off:
**Rachel and Sarah were in the sing-off, with Rachel having received the lowest number of viewers votes. They sang "As If We Never Said Goodbye " (from the musical "Sunset Boulevard)".
**Andrew Lloyd Webber chose to save Rachel and eliminate Sarah, saying "I have to think as a producer and I do think Rachel was rock solid, and there were moments that I did think that maybe you were a bit fragile", adding "but you were wonderful and you did exactly what I asked."cite news | title = Reviewing the Situation: Week Six Result: Sarah was the sixth Nancy out.| publisher = BBC | date =2008-05-04 | url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/05/04/54733.shtml | accessdate =2008-05-09 ]

Week seven (10/11 May)

Laurence was announced as the seventh Oliver semi-finalist on the Saturday show and Ashley was the seventh Nancy to be eliminated in the Results show on Sunday. The Olivers voted to choose one Nancy to perform with them on the Results Show and chose Niamh. During the week Lloyd Webber took the Nancys to the O₂ Arena to see Celine Dion in concert.

The show performances and missions were:
*"'Group performances:
**Nancys: "It's A Fine Life"
**Olivers: "You Give a Little Love" from "Bugsy Malone"
**Nancys: "Nobody Does It Better" from the film "The Spy Who Loved Me"
**Niamh, Laurence and the Olivers: "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" from the musical of the same name.
**"The Battle of the Nancys" – Andrew Lloyd Webber divided the Nancy's by age into two trios to perform two songs:
***"The Girls" – Jessie, Niamh and Samantha: "Candyman"
***"The Women" – Ashley, Jodie and Rachel: "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!"

*Individual performances (in order of performance), all with songs chosen to show the different aspects of Nancy's character:
**Jessie: "Fighter"
**Niamh: "True Colours"
**Ashley: "I Say a Little Prayer"
**Samantha: "Survivor"
**Jodie: "If I Ain't Got You"
**Rachel: "You've Got a Friend"

*Missions:
**Nancys: James Bond style mission with John Barrowman, learning theatrical stunts.
**Olivers: Visited the Ragged School Museum to learn how strict conditions were in workhouses and worked with actor Todd Carty learning the famous Oliver line, "Please Sir, I want some more."

*Sing-off:
**Ashley and Niamh were in the sing-off, with Ashley having received the lowest number of viewers votes. They sang "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" from the musical "Evita".
**Andrew Lloyd Webber chose to save Niamh and eliminate Ashley saying, "I've said Niamh is a little young for this, and I was very hard on you, Ashley," then saying "In the end, I've got to save Niamh." To Ashley he said, "I do want to say that you are a fantastic talent, but you don't communicate it on stage," adding that he would love to work with her one day, and that her drama students "should be very proud."cite news | title = Reviewing the Situation: Week Seven Result: Ashley was the seventh Nancy to leave.| publisher = BBC | date =2008-05-11 | url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/05/04/54834.shtml | accessdate =2008-05-11 ]

Week eight (17/18 May)

Week eight was the quarter-final stage of the series. Jonny was announced as the eighth and last Oliver semi-finalist on the Saturday show with Gareth, Jordan, Joseph and Sam leaving after the Saturday show. Niamh was the eighth Nancy to be eliminated in the Results show on Sunday.

The Nancys were joined by five of the finalists from "Any Dream Will Do" - Daniel Boys, Lewis Bradley, Ben James-Ellis, Keith Jack and Rob McVeigh to perform a group number. They were paired up: Rachel and Daniel; Jodie and Lewis; Jessie and Rob; Samantha and Ben; Niamh and Keith.

The show performances and missions were:
*"'Group performances:
**Nancys and Olivers: "Consider Yourself"
** Gareth, Jordan, Joseph, Sam and the Olivers: "Reach"
**Josephs and Nancys: "Dancing in the Street"
**Oliver semi-finalists: "I Have a Dream"
**Nancys: "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" from the musical "South Pacific"

*Individual performances (in order of performance), all with songs chosen by each of the finalists to show they can be Nancy:
**Jodie: "Holding Out for a Hero"
**Rachel: "I Will Always Love You"
**Samantha: "Defying Gravity" from the musical "Wicked"
**Jessie: "How Do I Live"
**Niamh: "Don't Speak"

*Missions:
**Nancys: Learning a comedy routine from "Life Coach" with comedian Phill Jupitus and Life Coach creator, Nick Reed.
**Olivers: Learning the scene from "Oliver!" where Oliver first meets the Artful Dodger with actor Daniel Barber (Gavroche in "Les Misérables").

*Sing-off:
**Niamh and Rachel were in the sing-off, with Niamh having received the lowest number of viewers votes. They sang "Another Suitcase in Another Hall" from the musical "Evita".
**Andrew Lloyd Webber chose to save Rachel and eliminate Niamh saying, "Niamh, if I was casting Evita, I would seriously think of you for that role," adding, "Rachel I thought you handled it well, you warmed into the song." Of Niamh he said, "your voice just needs time to mature and I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't up for a major leading role when you're twenty."cite news
title = Reviewing the Situation: Week Eight Result, Niamh was the eighth Nancy to leave.
publisher = BBC
date =2008-05-18
url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/05/18/54973.shtml
accessdate =2008-05-22 ]

Week nine (24/25 May)

Week nine was the semi-final stage of the series. On 23 May the BBC announced that Cameron Mackintosh would be joining the panel for the semi-final to give his opinion on the four remaining Nancys and to announce, with Lloyd Webber, which three boys they chose as Oliver and that he would also be on the panel for the Grand-final.cite news
title = Another Chair Please! Sir Cameron is joining the panel this weekend
publisher = BBC
date =2008-05-23
url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/05/23/55113.shtml
accessdate =2008-05-23 ] The four Nancys also appeared on "The Paul O'Grady Show" on Channel 4 singing "Oom-Pah-Pah".cite news
title = When They Sing Oom-Pah-Pah. It's all go go go for the girls left in the competition
publisher = BBC
date =2008-05-23
url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/05/23/55112.shtml
accessdate =2008-05-23 ]

Gwion, Harry and Laurence were announced as the three winning Olivers on the Saturday show with Lloyd Webber saying, "Cameron and I agree we have three very different Olivers, but I think it's a great result and I think whichever Oliver you go and see you're going to get a fantastic performance." And Mackintosh adding, "The talent we have unearthed has been terrific."

Rachel was the ninth Nancy to be eliminated on the Results show on Sunday - the last time Lloyd Webber has any say in the vote. Cameron Mackintosh confirmed that Rowan Atkinson will be performing the part of Fagin in the stage show. The four remaining Nancys were divided into pairs, The "Northern Nancys" and the "Celtic Nancys" for two group performances.

The show performances and missions were:
*"'Group performances:
**Nancys and Olivers: "Food Glorious Food"
**The Northern Nancys (Jodie and Samantha): "Superstar " from the rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar"
**Olivers: "Tomorrow" from the musical "Annie"
**The Celtic Nancys (Jessie and Rachel): "Buenos Aires" from the musical "Evita"
**Alexander, Arthur, Chester, Jonny and Kwayedza: "No Matter What" from the musical "Whistle Down the Wind"
**Nancys: "A Hard Day's Night" from the Beatles' film of the same name
**Gwion, Harry and Laurence: "Where is Love?"

*Individual performances (in order of performance) with the entire judging panel shown discussing each of the Nancys performances throughout the series in the week leading up to the show, before each performance:
**Rachel: "Cabaret" from the musical of the same name
**Jessie: "What I Did for Love" from the musical "A Chorus Line"
**Samantha: "When You Believe" from the film "The Prince of Egypt"
**Jodie: "Out Here on My Own" from the musical film "Fame"

*Missions:
**Nancys: A character building "Stepping back in time" task getting to grips with what life was like for Nancys spending time in an authentic Victorian home and speaking Nancy's love ballad, "As Long as He Needs Me" in front of Barry Humphries.
**Olivers: Performing as Oliver in a West End theatre singing "Where is Love?" with advice from actor Jon Lee.

*Sing-off:
**Rachel and Samantha were in the sing-off, with Samantha having received the lowest number of viewers votes. They sang "Memory" from the musical Cats.
**Andrew Lloyd Webber chose to save Samantha and eliminate Rachel saying, "Last night Cameron and I were both saying that we thought both of you would be fantastic Nancys and now here am I faced with this. But I've got to make a decision and I've got to think of where the show ultimately for Cameron is going to go and I think I have to go with you Samantha.cite news
title = Reviewing the Situation: Week Nine Result Rachel was the ninth Nancy to leave
publisher = BBC
date =2008-05-25
url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/05/25/55135.shtml
accessdate =2008-05-25 ]

In the week following the show, it was claimed that Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh had fallen out over Lloyd Webber's decision to eliminate Rachel Tucker who Mackintosh had wanted to see in the final. Lloyd Webber said, "The fact is Cameron wanted Rachel to stay. He wanted Rachel and Samantha in the final from the beginning of the series. Rachel did a fantastic performance but I had to face up to the fact that she wouldn't have gone any further. What I may think professionally is sometimes different to what the public want. I saved Rachel three times and she still ended up in the bottom two."cite news
last = Kilkelly
first = Daniel
title = Nancy judges fell out over Rachel's exit
publisher = Digital Spy
date =2008-05-31
url =http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a97182/nancy-judges-fell-out-over-Rachels-exit.html
accessdate =2008-06-03 ]

In the week the semi-final aired, the four semi-finalists did a photoshoot for Now magazine recreating some of Madonna's iconic images. Jodie posed in a wedding dress to recreate the cover of the album "Like a Virgin"; Jessie copied a pose, wearing a black dress, from the music video for the song "Like a Prayer", Samantha was dressed in hotpants copying the pose from the cover of the 2008 album, "Hard Candy" and Rachel posed in a cowboy hat, recreating the cover of the album "Music".cite news
last = Roberts
first = Laura
title = The Nancies as you've never seen them before: I'd Do Anything trio pose as Madonna
publisher = The Daily Mail
date =2008-05-27
url =http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1022012/The-Nancies-youve-seen-Id-Do-Anything-trio-pose-Madonna.html
accessdate =2008-05-27]

Week ten (31 May)

Week ten was the final week of the show and the Grand-final when the winning Nancy was revealed. Both shows aired live on Saturday with the main show starting at 6:00pm and the Results show at 8:45pm. The finalists were Jessie Buckley, Jodie Prenger and Samantha Barks. Jodie was the winner.

On 30 May, Andrew Lloyd Webber revealed that Cameron Mackintosh was concerned about Jodie Prenger's "curvaceous figure" saying, "Cameron thinks she is a bit too big and has more or less said so". However, Webber defended Prenger, saying that she had both the vocal talents and personality for the role, saying "Jodie could be anybody's idea of Nancy - I can see it absolutely. She has got a lovely voice and a super personality. She has experience as well."cite news
last = Fletcher
first = Alex
title = Webber: 'Cameron doesn't want big Nancy'
publisher = Digital Spy
date =2008-05-27
url =http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/realitytv/a97091/webber-cameron-doesnt-want-big-nancy.html
accessdate =2008-05-27]

Also on 30 May, the BBC announced how voting would work in the final. With all the decisions now being from the public vote, the voting lines opened at the start of Show One. At the end of Show One, the finalist with the lowest number of viewers votes, Samantha was eliminated and therefore finished third. The voting lines then re-opened to vote for the series winner, with all the votes cast for the remaining two Nancys carried over. Then in Show Two the final two Nancys went head-to-head before the winner was announced as Jodie.cite news
title = The Live Final: How the voting will work on Saturday
publisher = BBC
date =2008-05-30
url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/05/30/55294.shtml
accessdate =2008-05-30]

The three finalists were taken to Paris in the week leading up to the show. In London they met and had a "Master Class" with Liza Minnelli. All twelve Nancy finalists and all twelve Oliver finalists also performed. Lee Mead also performed on Show One. In Show two both Jessie and Jodie performed Nancy's love ballad "As Long as He Needs Me".

The show performances were:
*"'Group performances:
**Nancys and Olivers*: "I'd Do Anything" *(all twelve Nancy and all twelve Oliver finalists)
**Laurence and Jodie: "Getting To Know You" from the musical "The King and I"
**Harry and Samantha: "Singin' in the Rain" from the film "Singin' in the Rain"
**Gwion and Jessie: "Truly Scrumptious" from the musical "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
**Jessie, Jodie and Samantha "Maybe This Time" from the film "Cabaret
**Lee Mead and the Olivers "Any Dream Will Do from the musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"
**Former Olivers and Nancys:"Never Forget"

*Individual performances (in order of performance) The first three songs were chosen as "emotional showstoppers":
**Show one
***Jodie: "Son of a Preacher Man"
***Samantha: "Anyone Who Had a Heart"
***Jessie: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"
**Show two
***Jodie: "As Long as He Needs Me"
***Jessie: "As Long as He Needs Me"
***Jodie "I Have Nothing"
***Jessie "The Man That Got Away"

*Show One third place
**At the end of Show one, Samantha was announced as finishing third with Andrew Lloyd Webber saying, "Do you know what, I did think this would happen. But you've done so well to have got this far Samantha."cite news
title = Reviewing the Situation: Final, Samantha came third in the competition
publisher = BBC
date =2008-05-31
url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/05/31/55311.shtml
accessdate =2008-05-31 ]

*Head-to-head final
**Before the final vote was announced in Show two, Graham Norton asked the panel who they each thought was Nancy. John Barrowman and Denise van Outen said Jodie, while Barry Humphries, Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber preferred Jessie. The final vote was then announced and it was revealed that the winner was Jodie Prenger with Andrew Lloyd Webber saying, "The people's Nancy. Jodie was always going to be the people's choice." Cameron Mackintosh added, 'I'm thrilled for Jodie, congratulations!'cite news
title = Reviewing the Situation: Final Results, Jodie is Nancy!
publisher = BBC
date =2008-05-31
url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/05/31/55312.shtml
accessdate =2008-05-31 ]

Reception

In March 2008, the BBC drew criticism from American actor, Kevin Spacey, the artistic director of the "Old Vic Theatre Company" for airing shows such as "I'd Do Anything" and "Any Dream Will Do" which he claimed were distorting the theatre market in favour of musicals instead of straight plays.cite news | last = Midgley | first = Neil | title = Simon Cowell responds to Kevin Spacey's Andrew Lloyd Webber comments | publisher = Daily Telegraph | date =2008-04-18 | url =http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1584682/Simon-Cowell-responds-to-Kevin-Spacey's-Andrew-Lloyd-Webber-comments.html | accessdate =2008-05-09 ] Spacey said, "I felt that was essentially a 13-week promotion for a musical - where's our 13-week programme?" and that he thought the BBC's talent shows were "crossing the line" and "unfair". The BBC responded that it "always reflected" other West End shows in its talent programmes. Adding that the shows were not unduly promotional and that the shows "celebrate musical theatre generally, not just one West End show". They also pointed out that the BBC had no commercial interest in the West End productions of Oliver!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat or The Sound Of Music.cite news | title = Spacey complains over BBC shows | publisher = BBC | date =2008-03-31 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7318812.stm | accessdate =2008-05-09 ]

Spacey's comments were criticised by Simon Cowell who stated, "It sounds like Russia in the Sixties, that mentality. I don't think that applies to the modern world. What the BBC does is very good for the West End because it reminds millions of people what the West End is all about – they're going to sell a lot of tickets off the back of that."

On 19 April it was revealed that Spacey had apologised to Andrew Lloyd Webber for his comments. cite news | title = Kevin's put back in his Space | publisher = The Sun | date =2008-04-19 | url =http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article1061731.ece | accessdate =2008-05-09 ]

On 31 May 2008 it was revealed that the show regularly received over 6 million viewers.cite news
last = Hastings
first = Chris
title = 20 million tune in for talent show finals
publisher = The Daily Telegraph
date = 2008-06-01
url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2059689/BBC%27s-I%27d-Do-Anything-and-ITV%27s-Britain%27s-Got-Talent-finals-draw-20m-viewers.html
accessdate = 2008-06-01] The first programme of the series which aired on 15 March, before the first live shows two weeks later, was watched by 5.5 million viewers, 24.2% of the total audience, in what the Entertainment and Media website Digital Spy described as "a weak debut".cite news
last = West
first = Dave
title = 'I'd Do Anything' makes weak debut
publisher = Digital Spy
date =2008-03-17
url =http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a91757/id-do-anything-makes-weak-debut.html
accessdate =2008-05-26 ]

After the week five shows it was revealed that the Saturday show was watched by 5.6 million viewers, 27% of the total audience, which although 0.5 million down on the previous week, was still 200,000 above the slot average. This was slightly ahead of the third episode of "All Star Mr and Mrs", on ITV1 which had 5.2 million viewers (25.2%).cite news
last = West
first = Dave
title = Nancys pip 'Mr and Mrs' in the ratings
publisher = Digital Spy
date =2008-04-28
url =http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a94817/nancys-pip-mr-and-mrs-in-the-ratings.html
accessdate =2008-05-26 ]

The final shows on 31 May were shown on the same night as the finals of the second series of "Britain's Got Talent" on ITV1 although the shows did not clash directly apart from a short period toward the end of Show one of "I'd Do Anything". The total number of viewers for both shows was given as 20 million.

Format future

In September 2008, Lloyd Webber announced that he would not be returning to the BBC in 2009 for another series as he wished to concentrate his efforts on his latest musical. He would, however, be returning to BBC screens in 2010 with a brand new search to find a new Dorothy for "The Wizard of Oz", to which his company, The Really Useful Group, recently acquired the rights. [cite web|last= Plunkett|first= John|title= Andrew Lloyd Webber rules out BBC1 talent shows in 2009|publisher= The Guardian|date= 2008-09-08|url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/sep/08/andrewlloydwebber.realitytv?gusrc=rss&feed=media|accessdate= 2008-09-10]

References

External links

*
* [http://www.oliverthemusical.com Official Oliver! The Musical website]