The show will feature ten stars of TV reality shows "The X-Factor," "Britain's Go Talent," "Pop Idol," "Pop Stars – the Rivals," "Grease is the Word" and "Last Choir Standing" to create what publicity materials describe as "reality TV's ultimate pop group." Their journeys to become pop stars have been seen by over 78 million viewers on TV, and they have collectively received 13.5 million hits on YouTube, plus sold more than 2.5 million records.
The boys include Rikki Loney from "The X Factor" in 2009, who made it to the final 10; 18-year-old heartthrob Shaun Smith, a finalist on "Britain's Got Talent"; Anthony Kavanagh, who was the runner up on "Grease Is the Word"; Andy Scott Lee, who appeared in the second series of "Pop Idol" and enjoyed chart success with his brothers in the band 3SL; Aaron Bayley, who starred in the first-ever season of "Pop Idol"; and brothers David and Trevor Francis, who were lead singers of the group Revelation in "Last Choir Standing."
The girls comprise "X Factor" star Nikitta Angus; Emma Beard, who was a finalist to become part of Girls Aloud in "Pop Stars – The Rivals"; Stacey McClean, who first appeared in "S Club Juniors" and more recently made it through to the final six girls in the last series of "The X Factor"; and Kimberley Southwick, also an "X Factor" contender.
In a press statement, producer/musical director Simon Henderson commented, "These reality TV shows have discovered some exceptionally talented singers in recent years. We have hand-picked 10 of the very best of them to create an outstanding super pop group for Gleemania. These are all finalists who were taken to the hearts of the British public, who voted for them in their millions. These kids are seriously talented and the public are going to love seeing and hearing them again. Gorgeous and oozing with talent, they were all stand-out stars on the biggest shows on British TV, but as a group they truly shine."
The show is set to feature such songs as "Don’t Stop Believin'," "Gold Digger" and mash-ups inspired by the hit TV show "Glee." The show is directed by David Wood, a choreographer who has worked with Diana Ross, Gloria Estefan, Lionel Ritchie, Kylie Minogue and was one of the team of choreographers on the recent Spice Girls tour. The show is billed as being "inspired by 'Glee' and is in no way affiliated to FOX TV or any associated company."
To book tickets for Hammersmith HMV Apollo in London, contact the box office on 08448 44 47 48; for Birmingham's National Indoor Arena, contact the box office on 0844 3388000. Aaron Bayley will not appear at Hammersmith Apollo, and Andy Scott Lee will not appear at the Birmingham NIA.
