Absolutely, he even has the added advantage of being gorgeous. I have been championing Lee right from the start, second best voice in the competition (after Daniel's) and a scarily good actor, the man can interpret a song better than anyone I've ever seen. My only concern is that after his performance of Paint it Black, which was absolutely outstanding, Joseph doesn't seem to be a worthy vehicle for his talents. The competition looks totally uneven to me now, because he is just so far ahead of the rest of the pack in terms of overall ability. Sometimes I find it more interesting to debate the merits/demerits of the other three, because for me, Lee is completely out on his own.

Jocko and LaurieMarlow - totally agree with your posts. Absolutely spot on. I adore Lee and think he has, as you say, the complete package. He's a superb allrounder and at present a country mile ahead of the others.

When you get to the other three then yes, I think we are talking compromises and it all depends on your priorities. I find Ben much more entertaining to watch than the other two. In the group numbers last week he was fantastic. I also feel that the weaknesses in Ben's performances are more easily addressed than those in Keith's. Given the fact that the former clearly has a voice otherwise wouldn't have got this far, I feel that he has the potential to deliver a stonking performance in this comp. Don't think it will upstage Lee - and I wouldn't want him to - but I would love to see him answer some of the critics.

Laurie - one final point. Whilst I can understand your concern over the Joseph role for Lee I can't think of another musical that is so dominated by one young male lead. He has the opportunity here to absolutely and totally own the show. And I think he will.

I really hope Ben gets a great song this week. Maybe a ballad that would suit him far more than 'Crying'. I really felt he performed that song superbly despite those dodgy notes. He sold it to me and was the most impressive on the group performances. He would wipe the floor with the ones left on the Grease show.

I definitely think you're right about Keith's weaknesses being difficult to address. How do you teach stage presence? I've no idea. Ben, on the other hand, has a lot to work with vocally, he just needs some fine tuning. (sorry, I didn't even mean the crap pun )

And you are right about the Joseph role. It would make him a star in a way that nothing else could and that should be encouraged . Afterwards he can spread his wings in whatever way he wants. After the paint it black performance, I would love, love, love to see him as either Jesus or Judas in JCS (this is just another addition to the already long list of parts I would love to see him play). Okay, we need to focus now and make sure he wins. If Keith beats him I will not be responsible for my actions

I agree laurie - i think maybe my second choice would be lewis - becuase he has a good voice, a good look and has shown emotion in his songs(well in hero at least). Ben i could never feel ok with becuase his vocals are way too weak for me, keith lacks too much performance wise.

Lewis certainly is emotional. I'll give you that much

Yes, I agree with both parts, which is why I definitely think Lee should win and why I was a bit half-hearted about Connie last time - while everything she did was excellent, I was never on the edge of my seat.

I only watched the last few weeks of Maria, but Connie left me cold - even when she won!!

That's how I feel about Lee - well, not completely cold, but he doesn't have me on the edge of my seat! I'm still drawn to Ben when they are all on stage together - that's all I can tell you - no complicated explanation, that's all I can say.

There's no doubt that Lee and Keith both have great voices - Lee's lends itself more to musical theatre - so if you put the voice with the total package, Lee is miles ahead of Keith. His look, maturity, the way he moves and his sparkle are thing s which Keith can't learn. He'll mature, no doubt, but that charisma and stage presence just can't be taught.

I sometimes feel that my support for Ben is misplaced - would I have the confidence that he'd hit all the right notes, and in the right order, every night? Considering the vocal demands of Joseph, I think he'd probably be fine, but I'd be less relaxed watching him than Lee

That said, there's just something about Ben, and when he is given 'the right song' he outshines the competition, for me anyway

I agree Jojo and as it is just 4 songs a night and he would be word perfect and vocally toned , he may manage it but hell I have never had a favourite of mine win a reality show. oh except for Edith Beaumont on CFA so doesn't bode well.

That'll do as a compromise.

Spot on. Thats exactly how I feel too. well almost. Lee does excite me when he performs well too - Paint it black, part of the group numbers etc. But when Ben is at his best he totall outshines them all for me too.