JUST hours away now from the second live studio show of The X Factor 2008.
For some reason, yesterday’s MEN story on Scott Bruton did not go online.
That means I can’t post a link as promised in yesterday’s blog.
But here’s what it said:
X Factor finalist Scott Bruton has revealed how the support of fans in Manchester rescued him from tearful despair.
“I feel like I’m the luckiest man in Britain,” said Clayton-raised Scott, who broke down in tears on last Saturday’s first live studio show.
Now he aims to serve up a winning performance – and hopes Bolton comedy star Peter Kay will pay a visit to The X Factor.
Month: October 2008
SCOTT Bruton told me this week how The X Factor finalists watched Peter Kay’s spoof reality comedy last Sunday.
And it turns out that Laura White isn’t the only act who has met Mr Kay.
While she once sang alongside Peter when he switched on Bolton’s Christmas lights, Scott served him in Argos.
There’s another story on Scott in today’s MEN.
Update: You can read what it said here.
Due to space restrictions, his Peter Kay anecdote was cut from the page.
But here’s what Manchester-raised Scott told me:
“I used to work at Argos in Ancoats a couple of years ago and I served him.
“He was buying a Thomas the Tank engine set for his little lad.
THAMES House, London. MI5 Central HQ.
Spooks is back with a spy swap, fish and chips and a lesson in the use of cutlery.
As regular readers will know, I’ve been a fan since the very first press launch for series one.
I went on set again back in April to interview cast members.
The first feature ran in the MEN yesterday – the online version is here.
Some fans will already know what’s ahead.
But along with other members of the media, I’ve agreed not to spoil viewers’ enjoyment of the new series by revealing too much detail.
So you won’t find any major spoilers below.
DAWN was breaking today when a Coronation Street story caught my eye.
ITV is to cash in on the popularity of the soap by launching a range of spin-off products, it read.
It added: “ITV is also planning to re-open the Coronation Street set in Manchester to the public with behind-the-scenes tours.”
Except the new report here reminded me of how these possible plans had already been trailed back in March here.
Having since spoken to the ITV team currently out in Cannes, it’s clear that these potential spin-off products are still “in development”.
Although a presentation has now been made to manufacturers, no deals have yet been signed.
So don’t go rushing out just yet to order Betty’s Hot Pot in your local Rovers Return.
As for some kind of return for Granada Studios Tour, that’s still just another idea – and certainly nothing to get excited about just yet.
IT’S been a pleasure to interview all three of the north west X Factor finalists ahead of tonight’s first live show.
Last, but not least, this week was Diana Vickers.
She told me she is having dreams about appearing on stage in front of the judges.
Diana also vowed not to change her style, despite her X Factor makeover pictured on this page.
You can read the online version of today’s MEN story here.
And check out my interviews with Laura White and Scott Bruton.
Quirky Diana, 17, also spoke about her reaction to a tabloid story last weekend which used photos of her on a night out.
It claimed she was a “wild child” who “loves boozy nights out” – but it looked to me like a story created to fit the pictures.
THE Coronation Street cobbles could see the return of a few rovers next year.
As mentioned in last night’s blog, I spoke to producer Kim Crowther yesterday.
She told me: “There might be a few faces we bring back.
“Ones that have left recently, who we love but we just felt at the time, ‘Why would they stay at this point in the story?’
“But that we might well still bring back and see again next year.”
Although I may be wide of the mark, my thoughts immediately turned to one or two members of the Morton family.
They were led by Michael Starke, recently departed as kebab shop owner Jerry
SO, farewell Liam.
We watched your dramatic demise on a big cinema screen in London this afternoon.
And then we spoke to the man who killed you.
Or rather…actor Gray O’Brien.
The press launch for Coronation Street’s Murder Week threw up several points of interest.
There’ll be more in the MEN tomorrow and next week – plus, of course, online.
Those nice people from the Corrie press office showed us a compilation of scenes from next Monday and Wednesday’s episodes.
Followed by the full double bill to be screened on Friday October 17.
LAURA White is many people’s idea of this year’s X Factor winner.
I chatted to Laura yesterday – some 24 hours after she broke down in tears at a press conference.
Happily, Laura, 21, from Atherton is now feeling a lot better and will be singing for someone very special on Saturday night.
You can read the online version of today’s MEN Pg 3 story here.
Due to the usual space restrictions, parts of the interview couldn’t be used.
Among several others things, Laura said she was pleased with the song choice for the first live ITV1 show.
“I’m very happy with the song that I’ve been given this week.
“Hopefully it will go down well.
DID you see the final part of Place Of Execution on ITV1 last night?
If you’ve recorded it to watch later, read no further…
I asked Greg Wise about the dramatic hanging scene involving his character Philip Hawkin.
But I didn’t use his quotes in my coverage of the drama as they would have given away the fact that Hawkin was executed in the concluding episode.
Wrongly executed, as it turns out – although some may feel justice was done.
Executive producer Sandra Jobling admitted that the hanging scene was her favourite moment.
“I know it sounds terrible but it was the best bit,” she said.
“Filming that scene made the hairs at the back of my neck go up.”
SO now you know.
The final 12 in The X Factor 2008 include Manchester’s Scott Bruton, Bolton’s Laura White and Diana Vickers from Blackburn.
I interviewed Scott last week about his emotional rollercoaster ride to the live studio finals.
There’s a feature on Pg 9 of tomorrow’s MEN – I’ll post a link here when it goes online.
Update – the feature with pic gallery is here.
Scott told me about the moments he broke down while filming the Judges’ Houses stage in Barbados.
Including those sobs of relief when mentor Simon Cowell told him he was through,
“But I’m a pretty hard lad, so I don’t cry much,” he maintained.
“I thought I might have tried to over-sing my two songs in an effort to try and impress.
“But Simon must have liked them, otherwise he wouldn’t have put me through.”
He also spoke about his link with 2005 winner Shayne Ward.
Life of Wylie 