well i am sure there will be alot of unhappy people wanting refunds if ben gets the role, alot of people who go to see west end show expect the lead to be able to sing!

Totally agree with you there - I wouldn't go to see him at all. I hate when he pulls faces and shakes his head at any criticism. It just smacks too much of immaturity to me.

I agree - I think he'd be perfect as Jesus - maybe he entered a year too early?

I'm a bit surprised that Ben is getting so many negative comments on here tonight. That song is incredibly difficult and I think he did it better than anyone else would have done, except for Lee. It has a really wide vocal range - over 2 octaves - so it posed a challenge at both ends of the voice. Some of the notes went off, but not that many really. I was impressed enough to give him a vote tonight in recognition of a good attempt at a pretty ridiculous song choice.

Incidentally, I can't understand the refusal to transpose songs into more suitable keys for each singer's voice. Ben sang (if my memory is right) at the same pitch as Roy Orbison did - needing a top C. THe Take That songs had the same problem, forcing the two singers into places they had no right to be.

The other good thing about Ben is the effortless way he moves on stage - again only Lee can match him in this respect. Lee remains my favourite, but I say hats off to Ben tonight.

exactly - the last thing any show needs is a leading man who will throw a tantrum or sulk if they are critised! like working with a toddler!

Very true (and I detest that song as well). JB was the one fighting for Ben in the beginning wasn't he when no one else was? JB and ALW usually agree on things so maybe that is why ALW keeps keeping Ben in.

He'd be a great Judas! He was incredible when he sang 'Paint it Black' last week, really menacing and villain-ish. If there's a musical out there with a really strong anti-hero he'd be great for it, although I think he does sweet and lovely very well too for a romantic lead.

Ooh, I'd love to see him as Billy Flynn in Chicago! It's such a fun role on the stage.

,

Oh, not just on the X factor. thms has very eclectic tastes. In 4 years we've never agreed on the best one, from Fame Academy, Pop Idol, both X factors and loads else.

I would be really, really worried if he was a fan of Lee.

You have a knack of backing losers dont you thms? Thank goodness you're not as dogmatic as Mr Blonde If Jade Goody finally does disappear, Mr Blonde may finally pipe down about her.

His voice might well improve but unless he can get rid of that lisp that was so obvious in the sing-off then he's got problems IMO.

Strangely I've never noticed it before tonight

If they want a refund if Ben gets the part, then they should never have bought a ticket until the result was announced...! Now if this competition was for Phantom, or Jean Valjean in Les Mis then I would agree with you - vocal is key. But this is Joseph - a show performed by Jason Donovan and Phillip Schofield - who could both hold a tune - but it was their personality that got them through the show. Lee would do a good job - but would he SHINE? I'm not sure. You do Ben a disservice by suggesting he can't sing. I thought his sing-off was beautiful tonight. Lee is better, but for me, it is Ben that has the star quality.

I think the mikes do something odd if they aren't set up right. Lee and Daniel, and now Ben and to a lesser extent Craig tonight all seem to have lisps, which isn't that common a problem in everyday life. Lee's seems to appear and disappear from week to week, because I listen out for it. I think it's something to do with the mike set-ups.

I mean if the watch the show and find out the lead man cannot sing well enough(ben cannot)

Yes he was - someone suggested earlier that maybe Ben reminds JB of himself when younger Maybe ALW listens to JB as he thinks he's 'down wiv da kids' - although I'll hve to watch again to hear all the panels comments.

Bedtime now, family stuff to do tomorrow, all this hoo hah has left me knackered!

nothing to do with craig being scottish
(or the macdonald's) i'm not keen on keith

I understood you - and I think you've unwittingly hit the nail on the head. Ben CAN sing well ENOUGH for Joseph. He ain't got Lee, Daniel or Keiths' voices - he hasn't got Lee's acting ability - but he can perform, move and hold a stage better than anyone else left IMO.

I'm sure his voice will improve, and his singing too - the problem is that he needs a few years rather than weeks. We're looking for someone who's ready NOW, people!

Ben has that special something that the others can't learn. Lee's voice will carry him in many other shows I'm sure, but Ben's charisma is obvious - even through the TV screen. His voice hopefully will catch up and there you go

I'm not sure I'd call it beautiful personally as all I kept hearing was the lisp. Overall he's probably the better bet as Craig had a touch too much redcoat in his blood

Beautiful might be a bit much - you're right - lol - but he sang it well - and indeed much better than the redcoat/ cruise-ship style of Craig.

I'm sorry but as someone who previously disliked Lee, I have to say:

He was bloody brilliant tonight. He has to be Joseph. No one else there holds a candle to him. He is in another league.

I thought Lee did brilliantly with an awful song, just like Daniel did.

The surprise of the night for me was Lewis, I thought he acted the song well, and for me his breath control was much better.

Ben can act and dance, just needs time to improve the voice

Keith, mangled his words too much for me.

Craig going was the right decision.

Your hatred of Lee, by far the best singer, is rather strange

I know it's a bit late (in every sense of the word) but here's what I thought about tonight's show:

Loved the group number at the beginning - although GN was a bit wrong to call it "Pharaoh Story." It was actually a combination of Pharoah Story and the Prologue (which, conveniently, have the same melody). As they're my favourite numbers in the musical, I'm pleased they finally got a look-in on the TV show. Was it just me, or was Lee in the wrong place a couple of times?

Lee - As usual, fantastic. Stand-out performance of the show. In week 7, we finally get to see that he can do light, happy, upbeat number! His outfit didn't do him any favours, though, as it resembled a pair of pyjamas.

Ben - Definitely saw his vulnerabilty, but the vocals were seriously dodgy. I don't have an ear for music at all, so if I could tell that, it must've been really obvious. JB helpfully pointed out that Joseph doesn't have to sing in a falsetto - why couldn't he have said the same thing to Anthony after his Patience?

Craig - Sang well, but at the beginning of the song he looked all upset and hurt. I glanced down at the TV guide, and when I looked up again he was inexplicably smiling.

Lewis - Didn't see courage, more angst, but thought that vocally he was surprisingly great. I usually don't like Hero, but really enjoyed Lewis's performance. I agree with some other posters about the panel's behaviour - if they're angry about Daniel's exit they shouldn't blame Lewis and, in fact, found this part of the show quite difficult to watch. It sounded like Zoe had been taking it out on Lewis all week although I sincerely hope I've misinterpreted that.

Keith - Sang well, but I just didn't get his performance. Maybe it's because I don't really like the song. Agree with other posters about the arms - someone should've told him if you're going to do the "removing a jacket to reveal a sleeveless t-shirt" move, you need really good muscle definition in your arms.

Result - Once again, I disagree with ALW's decision. He says he's thinking about casting, fair enough, but I'd rather see a Joseph that can do all the songs well even if he is a bit smiley rather than one who keeps missing the notes.

None of the rest of the panel wanted Craig dumped but ALW dumped him The same happened last week with Daniel

Anyway, It's clear that Lee is easily the best performer. When I watch a musical I want to hear the best possible singing. Charisma is secondary.

I just hope that ALW doesn't have the chance to dump on lee

Normally I would agree with you, and I do think Lee is the best West-End quality performer - but the role of Joseph is different to other West-End leading roles - and for that role I really don't think that charisma is secondary - I think it's more important than vocal - which is why, and I surprise myself by typing this - Ben gets my vote.