Any Dream Will Do - Lee Mead is the lead!!!!!!!!!!!

The nation's nerves were on edge tonight for the final of Any Dream Will Do, Andrew Lloyd Webber's search for a new Joseph.

All 12 past, present and future Josephs kicked off the show with "Go Go Joseph," it was really strange to see so many on stage!! They were backed by Brompton Primary School Choir, the winners of the Joseph choir competition, so well done to them.

The three finalists each performed two new songs tonight. Lewis sang "Kiss" and the classic "Beyond the Sea.” He really showed tonight what a showman he is. Lewis has endured so many sing-offs and so much criticism and it was truly heart-warming to watch his performance tonight. Andrew Lloyd Webber said he'd had the best journey of anyone in this competition and although I hate the "journey" word, I would have to agree, he has come on in leaps and bounds and surely has a West End career waiting for him. In the group song, "Maria" from West Side Story, he showed his so much improved acting ability and seemed to really be a contender for the coveted role.

Keith's songs were "For Once in my Life" and "Moondance." Keith has a fantastic voice and he is destined for great things but Andrew has never been totally comfortable with his acting ability, commenting that he can sing but has is not a natural dancer. He said, cheesily, "Checkout to Chekhov, I'm not sure,” yet another reference to Keith's former employment which seems to crop up at every available opportunity.

Lee's first song was "Devil in Disguise," a brave choice but he pulled it off to perfection and once again showed how, as Bill Kenwright has commented week after week, that he can interpret a song like no-one else. His second song, "New York, New York" a karaoke standard, could have been disastrous but Lee surpassed all expectations to deliver the performance of the series, phenomenal as Andrew said. Bill Kenwright said, "This is the moment of truth...tomorrow you will wake up a West End star," and admitted that Lee had been an understudy in his productions in the past and he should have seen his potential much earlier.

The group song, "Maria" from West Side Story showed the strength in Keith's voice once again. However, it also showed Lee's vocal talents to the full and proved once again how Lewis' singing and acting ability has progressed - I don't want to use the journey word again, but, well, you know what I mean.

The first vote-off meant that Lewis was the "least popular Joseph" - to voice an opinion I cannot see how this could have been - his performances tonight outshone Keith by a mile, but it was the public's decision. He bowed out with an emotionally-charged rendition of "Close Every Door" (in my opinion) the best performance of the song so far...Lewis has an assured career and will go far - he is, after all, only just 18.

The final two reprised their best performances of the series, Keith's "Always on my Mind" and Lee's "Paint it Black." The final votes were cast and nationwide nails were being chewed to the quick. Finally, Graham Norton announced that Lee was Joseph and he emerged in his technicolour coat to sing "Any Dream Will Do.” Lee truly deserves this role and will be a huge success. Keith, however, was very gracious in defeat and was the first to hug Lee and congratulate him on his success - he is also assured of a great future and it is unlikely he will return to Tesco!

It seems that already it is proving difficult to get hold of tickets for Joseph - maybe Andrew Lloyd Webber will need to extend the run...........

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