DIARYDIANNE Searching for mighty voice
THE Voice is coming to Manchester to find next year’s winner of the ITV1 talent show. Singers thinking they have what it takes to win the show in 2018 can audition at the city centre open mic venue The Whiskey Jar.
Undiscovered hopefuls can take part in a mic session, strictly for over 18s, at the Whiskey Jar in Tariff Street at 8pm on Tuesday, March 14.
This year’s series – judged by rocker Gavin Rossdale, US singing star Jennifer Hudson, Sir Tom Jones and will.i.am – will see the winner solo artist or duo scoop a record contract with music giants Polydor Records, home of Take That and fellow Manchester band The 1975.
Talent scouts across the UK search for singers to attend The Voice UK’s producers’ auditions and, if successful, artists go on to the blind auditions.
During the blind auditions the celebrity coaches sit in large chairs facing away from the stage, so they can’t see the artist during their performance. If a coach is impressed by what they hear they hit their red button and the chair spins to reveal the artist.
If more than one judge turns the act can choose which coach they want to work with, before going on to the battle rounds – a showdown between two acts which sees them whittled down to the live knockouts, which are currently underway.
Last year’s series, which was screened on BBC One before moving to show’s new home at ITV, was won by Kevin Simm from Chorley.
IS Michelle Connor about to seduce Nick Tilsley following their heartache over the birth of baby Oliver on Coronation Street?
Michelle has been left absolutely devastated by the news that her hapless husband, Steve McDonald, had fathered a child with their neighbour Leanne Battersby, shortly after their baby son, Ruairi, died following 23 weeks of pregnancy.
Next Friday a vengeful Michelle – played by Kym Marsh – plies Leanne’s fiancé Nick with wine after inviting him back to the salon flat where she is staying.
And her admirer Robert Preston, who warns Michelle that she’s playing with fire, is fuming.
Next week Steve, played by Simon Gregson, bursts in just as Leanne, played by Jane Danson, is registering Oliver’s birth. Despite previously saying he would allow Nick to bring him up as his own, Steve demands that he be named on the birth certificate now that the truth is out.
It seems that Nick’s worst fears have been realised after Steve blurted out that he was Oli’s dad during a celebration to welcome the newborn.
And the situation is made even more awkward when a furious Michelle texts a photo to Nick of Steve and proud grandmother Liz posing with Oliver.
Is this the final straw for Nick after he vowed to stand by Leanne and her baby?
Kym Marsh, who plays Michelle Connor in Coronation Street