ITV & Andrew Lloyd Webber's Search For A SUPERSTAR: Recap, Episode 8

As the week wears on, the format's been shaken up in an effort to retain viewing (and voting) figures. Tonight's episode began with Amanda Holden completely losing the thread of her autocue and presumably being scolded through her earpiece live on television, as she grinned inanely into the camera.

It moved on to an ensemble performance - a surprisingly tuneless version of Livin' On A Prayer, Bon Jovi's classic 80s anthem, which the backing band tried to drown out but failed.

After a peculiar interlude where Andrew Lloyd Webber shared his dreams about Dawn French and Roger Wright, it was into the performances, accompanied tonight by some very odd choreography, particularly for poor Jeff's opening number (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction.

This time, the sing-off reverted to the end of the show, with Rory and Niall belting out a strangely-keyed 'Alone' by Heart. Rory was saved, while Lloyd Webber reassured Niall by telling him he would be a wonderful Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera.

And so the competition plods on. Are you still watching? Who are you voting for?

After spending her formative years reading books and ending up with a Masters degree in English literature from King's College London, it was inevitable that Carrie should be a journalist. Her pure and simple delight in the art-form of musical theatre led to the Guardian asking her to be their West End Girl. Since then, she's picked up a PhD, and also written for many other UK publications, including the Times and the Independent. She has many eclectic loves, including sport, karaoke, reality television, MMORPGs, three-volume Victorian novels, the British seaside, embroidery and Veronica Mars.

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