JOINOUR BIG SING ALONG

Geri Horner, the head judge on a quirky new talent show in which singers must inspire the panel to join in, reveals why it’s just what the nation needs

Former Spice Gi rl Ger i Horner was with her husband Christian at The Last Night Of The Proms in London’s Hyde Park in September when she realised just how uplifting a good singalong could be. And it’s now led to her becoming the head judge on BBC1’s new feelgood Saturday night talent contest All Together Now.

‘I was joining in with everybody else at Hyde Park and suddenly thought, “Who knew this would feel so good?”’, says Geri. ‘I jumped at the chance to be a judge on All Together Now. I felt compelled to be part of it.

‘This country needs this series more than ever – with a bit of music we can all come together.’

For six weeks, singers – soloists, duos and groups – will compete to take part in a grand final and the chance to win £50,000. If that sounds a bit formulaic, the songs and judging set it apart from The Voice and The X Factor. Each of the acts will perform very well-known tunes – classics, modern hits or even show tunes – in front of 100 judges who are seated in rows on an elaborate platform. The performer’s job is to get as many judges on their feet and singing along as they can.

The show’s host, comedian Rob Beckett, explains, ‘It’s all about how many of The 100 join in with the singer performing. The more of them that stand up and join in, the more likely it is they will make it through to the grand final. The ultimate aim of those taking part is to get all of The 100 on their feet and joining in, which would be an amazing feat. Let’s see if it happens!’

Two acts a week will go through, the winner plus a runner-up decided in a sing- off between second and third places. After five heats, ten acts will compete in the final on 3 March.

Members of The 100 include professionals Larissa Eddie, who’s supported Lionel Richie, Nigel Murfitt, who sings at medieval banquets, Tina T, a soul singer with a Tina Turner tribute band, and Harry Kersley, a classical tenor.

Attempting to get them and the other 96 judges on their feet will be 13 acts each week, including a 19-year-old busk- er from Hartlepool called Michael, Chrissy, a 58-year-old restaurant singer from Wigan, and a female trio from London and Brighton called The Sundaes.

Geri points out that the eventual winner needs to be very special. ‘Obviously they’ll have picked a great song,’ she says. ’But that’s just the start. You have to bring a connection, something special that makes us get on our feet.

‘ It’s that little bit of magic that’s

going to separate the winners from the losers. It’s the most amazing feeling when people join in, you feel like one heartbeat and I think that’s why this show will be a winner.’

Rob Beckett will tell the performers how many of The 100 have joined in. He’ll also find out from the judges why they’ve stood up – or stayed in their seats. He says, ‘I’ll have sympathy for those brave enough to take

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Geri Horner’s already judged talent on The X Factor, Australia’s Got Talent and Popstars: The Rivals. She’s also been judged, as the Spice Girls took off after a showcase for music industry bigwigs in 1994. part. As a stand-up comedian, I know exactly what it feels like to step out in front of an audience and be judged.’

Geri adds, ‘I’m not sure I’d want to perform on it! It requires a lot of courage, there’s no hiding and almost instant feedback from a very large panel of judges. It’s a real test.’ All Together Now, tonight, 7.15pm, BBC1.