Haha. You've made me giggle!

It's interesting to see what the boys are like in real life. I would never have imagined Arthur to be a fan of skinny jeans!

I think Jonny's fantastic.
I've posted that already today but I love him

he is!

So how many make it to this semi final thing?!

He looks so earnestly at the camera, then towards the end he just cracks a smile. Adorable!

(Yes, I am 5 years older than he is )

Emma: I think they take 8.

oh! awesome!

YEY for Jonny!
Hope he gets a hat soon, though, it'd mess up his hair, his hair always seems so tidy and neat!

It's so lovely when he does that, I'm really hoping he's picked soon (I'm sure he will be, I'm biased but I seriously think he's one of the best)

I'm only a year older than him so I don't feel too 'pervy'!

I just pictured the poor little guy turning up for his first day at secondary school with his cool new outfit, and getting his head shoved down the toilet

The one who I can see doing the part of Oliver has to be the little blond one, whose name escapes me right now, but he is already through to the semi-finals.
I have a feeling he will be one of the Olivers that is chosen to play the part of Oliver.

I like Gwion.

Kwayedza, Chester, Gareth & Jordan.

Quite like Gwion, but his accent is so strong. I can't quite make my mind up whether this matters for Oliver himself (probably not) but it doesn't blend with other voices - when they do a group number, you can always hear Gwion ending words differently to the others, and this grates a little bit.

So because I have nothing better to do here are my views on all the Oliver's and their chances in the competition. Of course a lot of it is based on guess work and a general gut feeling. Brace yourselves for the tl;dr!

Alexander- I don't have much of an opinion of him really, only that he sings like a choir boy rather than a musical theatre performer. Don't see him getting through to the semi-final

Arthur- he's very endearing, which is a good thing, but I don't think he's strong enough vocally. I thought it was a bit out of left field when he was picked, but I guess we only get little snippets of the Oliver's while ALW et all have a clearer picture.

Chester- of the three that have already got through he's the boy I think is most likely to get the role, in fact i'm almost certain he will, he impresses every week.

Gareth- I really like him, he has such an intensity when he sings, but he isn't Oliver for me.

Gwion- He is such a cutie, my only problem with him is his strong accent, which really does affect his diction, although he'd already shown improvments in A Whole New World so perhaps it isn't too much of a problem. He's a possibility for the final 3.

Harry- Voice is okay, he seems to be one of the stronger actors and he'll be in the semi-final because of this, but if he were a few years older he'd be perfect for the Artful Dodger.

Johnny- I'm still not sure about him, his voice is lovely, his eyes are quite startling and he has a gorgeous smile, but often he looks completly blank (usually when he isn't singing on his own) in A Whole New World he looked completly bored. Final 8 material, would be an Oliver on the strength of his voice but I remain to be convinced by his acting.

Jordon- He is very confident and assured on stage and seems to be a good allrounder, his voice is 'strong' rather than 'pretty', he was very good in Teamwork, not so good in Electricity, which means ballads like Where Is Love might not be his strength. He has a tendency to over do it a bit though. He'll be in the semi-final, and a possibility for Oliver.

Joseph- I don't want to be mean so I won't say anything except he definitely isn't Oliver.

Kwayedza- I think he's the most talented of the lot, while the rest perform like boys, he performs like a young man, his voice is astonishing and he's a strong performer too. My problem is that his voice is just so rich and deep, I just can't picture him singing Where Is Love? Final 8 for definite, a possible Oliver.

Laurence- Now along with Chester, Laurence is probably my favourite for the part I find him very expressive and engaging when he sings, and although he couldn't do the acting task I think he's probably one of the stronger actors. I always think Oliver as a character is quite... earnest, a bit niave and idealistic, but not the wimp he is potrayed in the film, and I can see that in Laurence, I can imagine him saying 'Please Sir I want some more' or singing 'Where Is Love?'. He has the bad habit of sticking his chin out when he sings though. My pick for Oliver. (Having said all that now I bet Laurence won't even get into the final 8 lol!)

Sam- Everytime I see him now all I can think of is 'Anne Widdicome's Love child' . Other than that I don't have much of a view of him, but I don't see him in the final eight.

So the final eight for me would be Arthur, Gwion, Chester (obviously) and then Kwayedza, Jordon, Johnny, Laurence and Harry. With Chester and Laurence as my definite Oliver's. Gwion, Kway, Jordon and Johnny are all possiblity's for the third place.

I am surprised how disinterested in I am in the Olivers. GN said everyone would fall in love with them - not me! I find them all bland and none of them have charmed me.

Arthur I think looks like a minature GN and Sam a mini Ann Widdiscombe but hey they can't help that.

Chester I agree has an amazing voice but nothing behind the eyes when he is on stage

At this stage I have no favs and couldn't care less who gets the part

Hehe, I'm glad there's someone else who's almost as interested in the Olivers as I am I've lost count of how many times I've seen "Electricity" on YouTube. Contrary to most people I find the Olivers the highlight of the show - many of them are obviously very talented, not the least for having guts to sing solo in front of millions of viewers! Seeing as I've analysed the Nancys to death I might do the same to the Olivers now granted though, most is mere speculation:

Alexander: I guess he does sound like a choirboy, but maybe that's why I like his voice. I remember thinking "this kid's good" when he was singing "Where is love" in the auditions, and I think he also seems to have the sensitivity Oliver needs. He seems a bit shy and lacks a bit of oomph on stage though (and his new haircut isn't as cute lol). I was surprised to learn he was only 11. I really want him through to the SF.

Arthur: he's got a strong voice for a kid that age although he struggled a bit at the end of "A Whole New World". He also seems like a sweet boy from the limited footage we have. He's not my Oliver though.

Chester: I can't fault him - he's got an angelic voice, and hardly goes out of tune; he looks the part and is very likable in the VT. He seems a bit nervous on stage though. I think he might very likely get the role.

Gareth: I want to hear more from him; he seems to enjoy being on stage. Maybe an Oliver.

Gwion: his accent is his biggest problem, but I also think his accent is what makes him so memorable from the others. If he lost it he won't be as sweet anymore. I'm not a big fan of his voice, but he could be an Oliver from the acting.

Harry: I like Harry. He always seem to give it his all in all performances; there's a boyishness & straightforwardness (in a good way, if you see what I mean) about him that makes him likable. I don't think he's an Oliver though; his mannerisms and appearance suit Dodger better. I hope he reaches at least the SF.

Jonny: His look is perfect for Oliver - quite striking. (my friend and I were discussing that he could be in The Sound of Music - there's something a bit German about him. In a good way, ofc) His voice & expression made me sit up during "Electricity". But yes, he does need to look less blank/bored in group performances and needs to smile more. I really want him through to the SF though to hear him singing on his own.

Jordan: I completely agree when you say his voice is 'strong' rather than 'pretty', and for Oliver, I'd want to see a more soft, vulnerable side. He'd be better as one of the gang. He also appears a bit too 'stage school' for my liking. I think he'll be in the SF because he's very good, but not my Oliver.

Joseph: ditto to you. It was rather sweet when he kept messing up the steps though!

Kwayedza: he sounds very mature and his voice has a lush undertone. He also seems to enjoy every moment of the group performances. He's talented - but just not Oliver for me. (you can hear him singing a snippet of "Where is love" in the auditions btw.)

Laurence: unfortunately, Laurence isn't particularly memorable for me, although he does have a very nice voice. I want to see more of him to judge; possibly a SF Oliver.

Sam: rofl at the Anne Widdicombe comment! He's actually got a good voice, but he doesn't fit my image of Oliver either.


My final eight - Arthur, Gwion, Chester, followed by Alexander, Harry, Jonny, Kwayedza and Laurence/Gareth. Out of those, I'd prefer Chester/Alexander/Jonny/Gwion to get the role but we've only heard about 4 lines each from them so far after all so we can't really judge.

By the way, when do young boys' voices break? Isn't it around 12/13? It would be a real shame if some of the boys are picked but cannot play the role for the set time because of their voices changing.

Anyway, my 0.02p

To answer Ashrell:

I think this is why they appear to be picking the 'shorter' boys, as puberty is linked to size as well as age. (As a mum of three boys, I know!!!)
On 'Britain's got Talent' there was a very good boy soprano singing Pie Jesu - but by the size of him, he wont be singing like that for very long!

Yay for over-analysing! I don't know how many times I've watched Electricity and now Teamwork on Youtube! I think I like the Oliver's because for the most part they aren't really 'stage-schooly' (there's nothing worse than watching a bunch of precoscious kids paste on the same smile and do all the same actions IMO) most of them seem like real, genuinely talented kids (a bit posh maybe though).

We have quite similar views on the Oliver's it seems, just to answer some of your points:

Alexander's voice is lovely I agree, but he just seems very posh, I feel that if he were to be Oliver it would be a throwback to Mark Lester's version in the film, and I tend to be in agreement with ALW that Oliver should have a lot more spirit (I feel a little bit like that about Johnny as well but less so).

Harry, yes very much the Artful Dodger for me too

Now you've said about Jordon being more suited to the gang, you've convinced me, I'd possibly take him out of the top 8 and replace him with Gareth

I can see why Laurence hasn't stood out for you as he hasn't really been featured all that much. I think the main reason I like him is that he is very much how I picture Oliver to be like in my head, in both looks and performance, he has the right mix of wide eyed wonder and spirit. Just watch him in 'Food Glorious Food' to see what I mean, he just puts across Oliver's earnestness and hopefullness really well.

Yes, that's what I was thinking (although Chester is one of the tallest I think?). I guess these Olivers would probably only play the role for 6 months or so though.


Any excuse to watch "Food Glorious Food" again I see why you like Laurence now; he didn't stand out for me until I started looking for it. He somehow perfectly fits my image of what Colin Craven would be like in "The Secret Garden" (I don't know why though!) - so maybe that's why I can't quite imagine him as Oliver yet.

That's true - I don't want the wimpish boy version from the film and Alex is probably the poshest looking out of all of them. I still think his voice is good enough to carry him to the SF though and we can hopefully see if he can offer anything else.

Anyway, am looking forward to Saturday's show!

I have to agree with Twingle. At this stage, I can hardly tell them apart. The only ones who stand out for me are Gwion (because he was the first picked, and he's cute, and welsh) and Harry (because he's one of the few who can act). I'm having trouble connecting the rest of the names to faces.

Maybe I should go onto the website and swat up a bit on their favourite foods. Maybe that'll help me sort them out.

Gwion. And his accent is adorable

I agree with basically everything you say. I love Jonny and Chester, I really hope both of them will get to play Oliver. I'm not sure who I want for the 3rd Oliver, maybe Gwion. I really like Harry though, his voice isn't the best but I think he's a wonderful actor and dancer and he puts his all into everything. I also agree with the people saying Jonny looks bored, which is a shame; he's my favourite and his voice is just fantastic, he just needs some more facial expressions! I love the Oliver's, really look forward to them! I too have spent ages watching Electricity and Teamwork.

Kwayedza i particulllary liked him in the elecricity performance.

Hi I'm just posting for Camilla who can't get onto digital spy but wants to join in! :

"I have a selection of favourite Olivers that I'd like to get through to the Semi Finals, though I only have a top 2 that I'd like to win the role.

Jonny: I think there's a look about him that is perfect for Oliver - his eyes are particularly striking and very hypnotic, perfect for captivating the audience! During Electricity he was the boy that stood out for me, I think his voice is really lovely. The smiles he gave at the end of his lines in Electricity and Teamwork were the cutest ever! Really hope he gets through to the Semi Final, I'd love to hear him sing more on his own. He's my top favourite.

Chester: He's got a fabulous voice for somebody only 12, it's very angelic and I really love it. I really see him as Oliver. I'd be very happy to go see him in the show. He's a real contender and I think he might just get the role of Oliver. "

Does anyone know of any sites where I can watch the Oliver's getting through again? I thought it was really cute.

As far as I know, you'd just have to shift through the Episode 2 highlights: http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...s&search_type=

This is why I've freeviewed all the episodes so I can watch them over and over again I thought they were all very cute too

i hope when i go to see oliver its Kwayedza thats performing in the role. i'd personally be a bit gutted if it was Gwion, i know he's only a bairn but i'm not getting all the fuss that surrounds him

I'm so glad that quite a few of you rate Chester. I thought I was biased because I have met him.

Even though it is now more than a year since my niece was in the same dance class, the whole troop are living vicariously through Chester's success. It is amazing how much a show like this can energise kids at grass roots level. It is really inspiring to them that someone they know is on TV every Saturday night and potentially has a West End role.