When being asked about Michelle in a recent interview in OK! magazine, Kate replied

" I think its still very early days for Michelle. Shes only had two singles out. And her last album has sold more than the latest Kylie album, and Rachel Stevens.
Shes Still very much a part of the game and is certainly one of the best selling artists of this year. So shes still got a lot to hold her head up about. I love Michelle. If they're talented and have good songs they'll do well. Look at Will Young. He wasn't what everyone thought we were looking for but he's ended up doing really well

well said kate, i totally agree
come on 19..bring out her next record
(is kate a scorpio like me by any chance?)

hmm i cant see michelle mcmanus doing that well! In fact i'll be suprised if another one of her single reaches the top 10

I wouldn't be surprised if she got another number one. If they started her off doing low-key gigs impressing the critics and building up a fanbase rather than living off Pop Idol. Maybe even change her image and give her a certain style of songs not amounting to ballads.

i'll always buy her music

What were the sales of Michelle's album? I thought they were very low.

Making any sort of comparison to Will is fatuous anyway, winning a reality pop show is not a guarantee of success. Will is the exception rather than the rule. I think Michelle will get another chance (just) but I can't see anything much happening for her.

Who's Kate?

Kate Thornton host of x-factor i assume.

I am sure that they would release another single if they thought there was ANY profit in it but why should they risk it

Michelle is recording new material and will be making a comeback late this year or early next year!

The music will be much more her own style just like Will Young's second album was.

And the band played "Believe it if you like"

Shes one chunky chicken bless her

is michel macting da fat bird man dat sings funny ??? who wun pop idol

Her own style ? And that would be what exactly ?

Every song she did on PI2 was either a screechy power ballad or a screechy disco number. Not exactly defining her own style in the way Will Young did - and I only use him as a comparison since you brought it up.

Accept it - Michelle McManus won PI2 with the sympathy and/or pity vote. She was an embarrassment from start to finish. The best, most original of the final 12 was Suzanne who was cruelly treated and the result of the votes manipulated to make it appear that she was doing worse than she was. The whole show was a fix - and I say that as someone who loves the format. If she ever has another record in the charts it will be proof that the lunatics have taken over the asylum.

To quote the late Bob Monkhouse (he was talking about Bobby Davro at the time), she'll be remembered long after everyone else has been forgotten.............but not until then.

S.

'Making a comeback' - from what? I thought that she was a new artist? I will be very surprised if she has any continued recording career. Infact, to date, out of all the competitions, only Will Young has had any lasting musical contribution to make. And going by the 'X-Factor' contestants, he will remain the only one!

Now...now. Behave, PIV!

Exactly what I'd have posted. Has she "retired"? How very Spinal Tap.

We all know Michelle isn't as good as Will Young, but compared to most pop princesses out there she's miles better. This is the reason why I'm looking forward to her new stuff.

Who exactly?

It was reported in one of the gossip columns earlier in the week that Michelle had been spotted in a London nightclub with lots of Scottish friends chain smoking. Not really conducive to recording new material for a "comeback" considering she didn't smoke before is it?

Rachel Stevens, Jennifer Ellison, The Cheeky Girls.....shall I go on?

Kate is being supportive because she's connected to Pop Idol...Michelle's last single didn't even limp into the top15...Unless her new music is breathtaking, I don't see a future for her, unfortunately her image and the Pop Idol-stigma has hurt her.