Or because they saw she had talent worth exposure to help her chances of progressing, but could be got rid of fairly quickly too?

I would love to see Steph in the role because she has a connection with the audience and a sunny smile. I have also liked Emilie and Jessica for the same reason.

But Danielle is like a blank canvas who can be moulded into the part and I'm sure would do a good job of it if she got it. I think that is why the panel loves her so much. To a certain point Lauren also could play the part well through her superior singing talent. Sophie has got better throughout the weeks as her confidence has grown, so she too could do a good job at being Dorothy provided the nerves hold back.

ALW seems to be looking for a memorable personality to play Dorothy but John Partridge is looking for a singing dancing show star, Charlotte a good singer and Sheila the best actress.

Does ALW have to give the girl who comes 2nd the part of understudy? Or does that go to a professional actress? I am sure I heard somewhere that one of the other Marias (not the one who ended in second place) took over the role after a while. xx

It's never gone to the person in second. Aoife Mulholland who was 4th in Maria did two shows a week but the was after about six months. Lewis Bradley who was 3rd in ADWD, did cover in Joseph for a while, and Sarah Lark who was 7th in IDA was Jodie's understudy, there was another actress who did two shows a week then went down to one show a week.

Could be She did have a fantastic voice, even if she wasn't suited to Dorothy.

From what I read about "I'd Do Anything" the contract with the BBC banned the use of any of the contestants in a named part in the stage show I think it was for 6 months from opening (the winner's initial contract period). In that case they could not be used in another named part or as alternate, as they would be named in the programme. It may be that they could use one as an understudy, but probably wouldn't. That is why 6 months has been coming up above.