American Idol series 6 - Sherman Pore crashes through age barrier

64-year-old Sherman Pore has become a household name in the US after American Idol producers waived their age limit (formerly 28) policy and allowed him to perform in the Los Angeles auditions last year, which will be broadcast in the UK this evening.

He had apparently petitioned the show's producers, asking them to let him sing for the judges - as a tribute to his late partner, Melissa Miller, who had died just two days before his televised performance.

Sherman had American Idol judges Olivia Newton John and Paula Abdul in tears, and stunned Simon Cowell when he joined wannabe singers at auditions in Los Angeles late last year.

When his touching rendition of “You Belong to Me” aired on US TV on Wednesday night (31st January), Pore became an instant hero after the circumstances of his 'audition' became clear. He has since appeared on several news shows in the US, where he has fought back tears to explain his decision to become an American Idol. He said that the hope that he would be on the show helped her, yet she died two days before the audition on the Friday.

He said, "She passed away on Friday morning and for the next day and a half I was sitting around the apartment dumping several buckets of tears, and she said, 'Stop your crying, get off your tail and go out and do what you promised.'"

He begged the judges not to give him sympathy before singing, at Simon’s bidding, for his "lady".

Sherman sang a good older version of ”You Belong to Me”. As he left, Sherman says he won. He is indeed a winner.

A heartfelt performance amidst all the American Idol madness. Pass the tissues please.

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