Eurovision acts set for showdown

By Michael Osborn Entertainment reporter, BBC News

The UK's Eurovision hopefuls round off one of their first rehearsals

The six acts hoping to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest are facing their biggest test yet.

Under the glaring lights of the BBC's main studio at Television Centre in London, the singers are tackling rehearsals for the first live show on Saturday night.

The floor is crawling with production staff, the set is lit with the colours of the Union Jack, and the band strikes up with Abba's Eurovision classic Waterloo.

The acts run through their group performance of the song with great success, the opener for Your Country Needs You.

They may be just getting to grips with working on television, but for one act, the dream will come to an end on Saturday.

'Talented boy'

A constant presence on set is Andrew Lloyd Webber, who is spearheading the UK's campaign to improve its Eurovision fortunes.

So keen to showcase the six acts he has chosen for the finals, he has invited the press to hear them sing unplugged and at close quarters.

I wouldn't be surprised if the British public falls in love with them Andrew Lloyd Webber on sister act The Twins (pictured)

With nothing more than the barest piano accompaniment in a corner of the studio, Welshman Mark Evans powers through his song first.

"Keep your voice open," says Lloyd Webber, who gives musical guidance to each of his charges.

"He's a very talented boy and has a very good presence," he remarks, while the 23-year-old dashes across town to appear in panto.

Five-piece vocal harmony group Emperors of Soul are a different prospect altogether.

"I'm a fat lot of use with them!" Lloyd Webber says of his mentoring skills with the slick quintet.

The Twins - Nicola and Francine Gleadall - demonstrate their unique vocal blend, but require a little more coaching.

"I wouldn't be surprised if the British public falls in love with them," says Lloyd Webber, aware that viewers will have the ultimate say over who goes to Moscow in May.

'More credibility'

"They've got something remarkable that only brothers and sisters can have," he adds.

The youngest of the bunch, Charlotte Finlay-Tribe, tackles a "brave" song choice with great passion and verve.

"I'll have to write a different song for each one of them," says the composer, who has assembled an eclectic clutch of singers keen to take on the Eurovision challenge.

Add in Damien Flood, a 36-year-old with a powerful voice, and R&B starlet Jade Ewen, who eases her way through Beyonce's Deja Vu - the field is wide open.

"All my kids can sing," concludes Lloyd Webber, who promises the live shows will contain no tricks.

"I work with my artists unlike Simon Cowell," he adds of his talent show rival, adding his charges can ring him for advice "night and day".

Andrew Lloyd Webber offers musical advice to Jade (top) and Charlotte

But the musical Lord admits that he is unable to text and cannot get to grips with mobile phones.

The singers are all gunning for success on the show, with some of them saying that the involvement of the lord has given Eurovision "more credibility".

"Andrew doing this really swayed me," says Damien, also a pianist who has worked as a backing singer and been on the West End stage.

While Your Country Needs You will determine the winning act on 31 January, Lloyd Webber says the road to Moscow has only just begun.

He is down to three lyricists - one of whom will work with him to produce the UK's Eurovision entry. And he says that words are very important in the process.

Lloyd Webber added that a European promotional tour for our act and song is a "top priority" in a bid to make the UK's effort known before the big night in Russia.

But five months ahead of the Eurovision final, the action centres on BBC Television Centre for now.

It's a long way to Moscow.

The first live show of Your Country Needs You is on Saturday, 10 January at 1840 GMT on BBC One.