Surely ALW's reputation is more on the line if he participates in a TV programme where the competition is not what it seems?

Personally I can't see why you would think it has already been 'decided' (by that I assume you mean he has been formally offered the part). The TV programme and ALW aren't trying to sell us an unpopular candidate here; Lee is very popular because an awful lot of viewers like what they see and hear.
Now I would be very surprised if there wasn't some form of contingency plan in case of a result or trend that ALW thought disasterous, but if we assume for a moment that his favoured candidate IS Lee, the plan isn't really necessary at the moment, is it??

Goodness all this fuss over one man and his virus. I wonder how many conspiracy theories we can conjure up around this topic!

I for one hope Lee is back on form for Saturday. I adore watching him perform. He is an amazing talent.

Why do some people have to look for an agenda in every situation. Prehaps things aren't as political as some are making out - anyone like to consider that!

Get well soon Lee!

I disagree. I am sure ALW has a few who he is anchoring for and I would be very surprised - knowing his business ability - that he doesn't get one of them as a winner but I don't believe he wants only Lee. If he wanted an audition like that he would have done it the normal way. What he wants is a great singer and actor that the public love and we, or he, won't know that until we have all voted. That's why he may have a short list in his mind, from which he will let us choose, but not a winner.

Have you been talking to Seamus??


.

Ha Ha!

There would be more chance of me being trod on by a dinosaur than me ever wanting to spend time talking to that man.......

Just thought I would try to get into the consipracy frame of mind that seems to exist with some forumites.

I do realise that from the information provided. What I don't understand is why he should be any more stressed and missing his family than any of the others.

He has more experience and no doubt has had to be away from home at various times.

I just wonder if, as it seems he isn't on top form, whether he is any more able to cope than some of the other contestants.

If he is as susceptible to pressure as the others, it certainly starts to look a more open field of runners and riders in this race, and not the foregone conclusion so many think it is.

They've got to keep up interest in this show. If viewers think this is all a stitch-up or a foregone conclusion then it's not good for ticket sales in the end.

Is he missing his family more than the other lads? Probably not. Is he feeling the pressure more? Probably not. It's probably all hyped up to create some tension for the viewing public.

Agreed STS - good points all well made.

Whats all the fuss about Chris was really ill last week with a throat and chest infection and Craigs had an ear infection but they just got on with it with no sympathy whatsever . I hope Lees feeling better on Saturday but if hes not he ll just have to get on with it and do the best he can like the others have had to do!

I agree with you sadie. I love Lee to bits I am a massive fan (and it's not his fault the BBC decided to publish his illness on their website.) but he will have to grin and bear it on saturday if he still feels unwell - like others have.

I really hope he feels better though!

Or grin and bare it?

Well said. Just to clarify my earlier post (not so well written when I read it back!), I really don't think there is a conspiracy theory, anything has been decided in advance or that ALW has only one candidate in mind. Anyone going down the 'it's a fix' line is, I believe, way off-target.
Needless to say, Lee - get well soon! (And STS - love that last suggestion! )

[quote=STS]Or grin and bare it?[/QUOTE]

^That's the one



I don't think they need to invent a sob story about Lee being ill to attract more votes do they? He'll get loads anyway through sheer talent.

They had the info about Chris being ill in the podcast last week - it didn't get as much attention here maybe, but they tried. It's all part of trying to increase viewers IMO

Quite. I doubt he asked them to put it on the website.

I just hope he has recovered sufficiently on Saturday to give a good performance and I hope none of the others go down with the bug, whatever it is.

I doubt very much he is stressed and missing his family any more than any of the others are, I am hoping it's just BBC hype.

After hinting it's touch and go whether he will be able to go on on Saturday, I doubt they will tell us any more until the actual show. That's one way of getting the viewing figures up even more.

Very much agree with that. With both the Maria and Joseph show the finalists have conisted of about 3 or 4 who could realistically play the part. The rest are made up of those who are unsuitable, or not quite ready for it, but sees potential* which can be improved and nutured (with the possibilty of landing them with other roles). I mean why else would he put throuogh a Romanian Maria when it was quite obvious she was never going to be suitable?

*God knows how he sees anything special at all in Craig though!

If you listen to his diary thing (linked from the BBC website), he says exactly that. That there are a couple who thinks are suitable for the part, and couple more who are good but not suitable for Joseph, but perhaps other roles. ALW is not stupid, he's not going to put all his eggs in one basket. Anyway, if there was anyone who was judge's favourite, I would have thought it was Chris.

As for Lee being ill. I'm sure it's an exaggeration anyway. But from my experience of this kind of shows, I have yet to see someone to go home on the week when they were ill/injured, even if they do not actually perform.

I agree with you Chris621 he is the only other serious contender. I really want Daniel to win I like him very much. He appears to me to be very relaxed where as Lee seems to be so intense all the time. Lee comes across as if he is really desperate for the part of Joseph.

Isn't is amazing how some people are taken in / fooled by the PR around these shows. It is so blatent that it is now almost laughable. I just wish they wouldn't do as it devalues the show & I'm sure Lee doesn't want or need the sympathy vote.

MB

Are you saying that you don't think Lee has been ill at all and news of the visit to the GP was a fabrication?

Just curious.

I hope it was and he hasn't been really ill.

As you are obviously a Lee fan how do you feel then if it was the case that they fabricated this story about Lee's illness just for the sympathy vote!

I can't imagine that ALW would allow the fabrication of illness for the sympathy vote can you? Especially for a contestant who is popular enough not to be in need of the sympathy vote at this stage.

being the pro he is he'll probally still give a great performance on saturday! Get well soon Lee!

I don't think they did! Granted, I doubt he was at death's door but I do think he was ill and, in all probability, consulted a GP.

He's a young and (very) fit young man who has probably made a speedy recovery.

Lee is a total professional - so he will perform regardless