BBC’S new singing talent show will be ‘nice’ to contestants

THE BBC is launching a Saturday night talent show with a difference: no judging panel, no unkind comments, and no promise to turn the winner into a star.

All Together Now begins on BBC One this weekend in competition with ITV’S The Voice.

Rather than perform before a panel of stony-faced judges, hopefuls sing to a crowd of 100 people drawn from all corners of the music industry, including choir directors, West End performers, a medieval banquet singer and a singing dentist.

Members of “The 100”, captained by Geri Horner, the former Spice Girl, stand up and sing along if they like the performance, and stay seated if they don’t.

The most popular singer of the night goes through to a grand final, where the prize is £50,000.

Previous BBC attempts to ape The X Factor by producing a singing superstar have failed, most recently with the corporation’s version of The Voice. Now it is changing tack. Rob Beckett, the show’s host, said: “I think it’s nice to have something with no big promise of a career at the end.

“Just win a couple of quid, have a laugh.”

Horner said the show treats contestants “with care and dignity”.

“This show is so unique and in its own lane,” she said.

‘This show is about feeling good. We don’t want to take anyone down’

“There’s so much anxiety and bad news that when I turn on the television I just want it to be nice.

“This show is about feeling good. We don’t want to take anyone down.

“We can all get a little bit cynical and we’ve seen different talent shows, but it’s a breath of fresh air. It’s kind but it’s honest.”

Kate Phillips, controller of entertainment commissioning at the BBC, hailed the show as “a bit of a change from the usual panel of three or four judges”.