News

24 May 2007
Brad isn't the one that they want
By Emma Hutchings of The Borehamwood Times

The hopes of a Borehamwood grandmother were dashed on Saturday night, after her grandson Bradley Clarkson was voted out of a television talent show.

Freda Clarkson, of Bullhead Road, and her friend and neighbours had been plastering posters of Bradley around the town to support his bid to play Danny Zuko in the West End production of Grease.

After his involvement in the ITV1 show ended, Mrs Clarkson said: "There were so many people rushing up to him when he came out - complimenting him and asking him for his autograph.

"He said: I've had all this experience and met so many people'. I'm happy for him."

Bradley, who used to live in Borehamwood, will now complete a theatre school course and already has meetings with agents lined up.

He thanked his nan for her support.

"It was amazing, it was like a general election campaign," he said. "I'm only sorry it couldn't go on for longer."

OUT, but it's not the end.

After a rollercoaster ride of emotions, Bradley Clarkson was controversially voted off the ITV show, Grease is the Word on Saturday night.

There was not a dry eye in the house among his many supporters as the announcement was made.

But Datchworth lad Bradley, 25, will return to Mountview Stage School later this week with his head held high and his reputation ever growing.

The night was electric with excitement.

The couples had been split up and given new partners.

Bradley was paired up with 16- year-old Lauren McConnell and it seemed to upset the apple cart.

The performance was still strong however and as Sinitta announced the judge's decision to vote off Bradley, violent boos echoed all around the audience.

Lydia, Bradley's sister, said: "I don't know how Sinitta can contradict herself so much.

"Last week she said that she would rather shoot herself than put Danny (teamed with Alison in the winning couple) through.

"This week she said Danny isn't ready for it.

"Well my brother is!

"Yet who has gone through? This isn't the last of Bradley Clarkson."

Judge Brian Friedman told the WHT that it was hard to not put Bradley through.

"Bradley went simply because Alison was amazing," he said. "So we judges saved her for the individual round next week.

"It was a case of Sandy saving Danny.

"Bradley has been a potential Danny as his acting is amazing. But he needs to improve his dancing.

"He was just not cool."

Bradley told the WHT: "I am very sad to be leaving the competition, I hope I haven't let Lauren down.

"I saw the judges and I had a feeling even before we sang that we might be in the bottom two.

YOU'D better shape up - that was the message Grease hopeful Bradley Clarkson received as he battled through to the next round.

The Datchworth dynamo won glowing responses from all four judges on Grease is the Word - but still found himself in the bottom two thanks to votes from the viewing public.

Judge Sinitta, speaking at Saturday's aftershow party, said: "Bradley and Michelle were brilliant. I don't know what they have to do to get the public's votes.

"They were certainly fighting tonight."

American choreographer Brian Friedman added: "Bradley has fought his way back from dead end and has pulled it off.

"The choreography was great and the couple didn't deserve to be in the bottom two."

Bradley and show partner Michelle Antrobus, who sang Abba's Does Your Mother Know, received other remarkable comments from the judges, with David Gest telling Bradley that he was a "leading West End man" and David Ian adding that he was "the best actor left in the show".

But the pair still ended up in the sing-off after the public failed to back them.

They were saved by the judges who voted their performance of Summer Nights over fellow hopefuls Hayley and Wayne.

Bradley, 24, said: "I was really upset for Michelle when we were voted in to the bottom two.

"I'm doing it as much for her as I am for myself.

"I was very proud of tonight's performances though. This one was for our mums."

Mum Chrissie said: "I am just relived that they are still in. I thought they were superb tonight and they gave that little bit extra when they performed Summer Nights in the sing-off.

Summer nights will be spent proudly cheering in a television studio for one Borehamwood grandmother, who is hoping her grandson will triumph in ITV's Grease is The Word competition.

Bradley Clarkson, grandson of Freda Clarkson, 82, of Bullhead Road, is down to the final five couples in the Saturday night talent contest, which aims to find the next Danny and Sandy to star in the West End musical Grease.

Bradley, 25, who lived with his nan while working in London last year, has to perform a song and dance routine with his acting partner Michelle Antrobus each Saturday to win the public vote.

Judge David Ian has labelled Bradley the greatest actor in this competition'.

Each week, Mrs Clarkson travels down to the studio in Wembley with her son Eric, daughter-in-law Chrissie, and granddaughter Lydia, all from Datchworth, Hertfordshire.

"On the first week, I nearly passed out," said Mrs Clarkson. "It's so fantastic you're speechless." The Clarkson family attends a party after each show, where they chat to celebrity judges and guests.

Bradley's father, who grew up in Bullhead Road, said the performing instinct ran in the family. "My father was a musician and I was one in the Sixties, touring with bands," he said. "I still play the guitar every day."

Bradley was a straight-A student at school, and achieved a degree in history and politics at the London School of Economics before finding work performing at theatres including the Bristol Old Vic.

But it was while he was starring in a pantomime last Christmas that his director suggested he should audition for Grease.

Mr Clarkson said: "The director suggested Bradley should sing rock n' roll, after years and years of me telling him the same, and to audition for Grease."

After an initial audition in January, a second in February and then boot camp' in March, Bradley beat hundreds of hopefuls to the live finals.

Family friend Richard Sussex, of Greenside, Borehamwood, has designed a website for him and Michelle so their fans can find out more about them.

To visit the website, log on to www.bradleyandmichelle.co.uk The next live show is tomorrow night, at 8pm, on ITV1.

THE drama is unfolding for a finalist in ITV's Grease Is The Word talent show, who wants to prove he can act as well as sing.

Bradley Clarkson, 25, of Raffin Green Lane, Datchworth, was voted through Saturday's show and is now one of six remaining men vying to clinch the coveted role of Danny in a new West End production of the musical Grease.

He said: "The secret with all these songs is to try to tell a story and show the audience what you're feeling.

"It's musical theatre. The word 'theatre' is just as important as the word 'musical'. It's not just about singing, it's about performing and acting a role."
FAN CLUB: Bradley's gran and friend Jean with TV judge Sinitta

Bradley and his 'Sandy', Michelle Antrobus, were taken to see West End hit show Mamma Mia! on Monday in preparation for their Abba number, which they will be singing Saturday, 12 May.

Bradley said: "The local support has been fantastic. All of that really counts for a lot."

His mother, Chrissie, 55, has been rallying the votes in Knebworth, where she owns Synergie salon, by decorating the village with posters of support.

She said: "It's a good song this week - something they can act through."

:: See Bradley in action at 7.45pm on ITV1, when the public can vote another couple off the programme, and watch the aftermath with Greased Lightnin' Results at 9.25pm on ITV2.

The deciding show is on June 9.

13 May 2007
GREASE KO FOR WAYNE 'N HAYLEY
By Melanie Swan

GREASE wanabes Hayley Clarke and Wayne Smith were booted off the ITV1 show last night.

The shock eviction stunned the couple who looked red-hot favourites to star in London's West End as Sandy and Danny.

Hayley, 18 - daughter of Michael Starke, who plays Jerry Morton in Coronation Street - sang Summer Nights as they fought to survive in the reality show.

They faced a sing-off against Bradley Clarkson, 25, and Michelle Antrobus, 24.

Grease Is The Word judge David Ian said: "This is by far the most difficult decision we've had to make so far.

"But for their consistency and all-round acting and singing abilities we're saving Bradley and Michelle."

Gutted Wayne said: "We've had a hard week.

"But we had a feeling that this was coming."

Article from People.Co.Uk

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No dead end for Grease is the Word star
11 May 2007
EDITORIAL - whtimes@archant.co.uk


GREASE hopeful Bradley Clarkson is out to prove he's anything but "dead end" after a savage put down by one of the judges on Saturday night.

The Datchworth lad, who sang for survival on the ITV show Grease is the Word, was shocked at the comments from Brian Friedman.

The American choreographer told Bradley that his partner and Sandy wannabe Michelle Antrobus was West End - while he was more dead end.

The pair, who were the first to be voted through to next week's heat, spoke to the WHT at the exclusive aftershow party.

Bradley said: "The comments were okay and then came Brian Freidman's clanger.

"He said I was dead end. I'm not dead end, I'm not West End, but I think I'm on Oxford Street on my way to the West End."

"It's given us something to really work on."

Mum Chrissy, who owns Synergie beauty salon on Station Road, Knebworth, and listened in the studio audience to the rendition of Against All Odds, agreed.

"I think Brian said it for a reason. Bradley has got to lift his vocals and be a tad more dynamic."

Bradley's sister Lydia - who is in the running for the title of Miss Hertfordshire - said: "I think the comment was for TV."

He's not the one that she wants!
The Portsmouth Times
05 May 2007
EDITORIAL - rob.dabrowski@ thenews.co.uk

The boyfriend of wannabe Grease star Michelle Antrobus said today he was not jealous of her dancing passionately in the arms of another man.

Stewart Price said rumours that the Gosport-raised 24-year-old had fallen for her on-screen dancing partner were simply all part of showbiz. And today Michelle said: 'We're just very, very good friends and we can turn it on for the stage. 'We've got to give off that ultimate chemistry and up our game to look like we are in love. 'There's nothing romantic going on – we are just good friends and people have started talking because we spend a lot of time together.'

Michelle and Bradley Clarkeson managed to squeeze through the first round of the ITV series Grease is the Word last Saturday. Out of the eight couples fighting for lead roles in a West End production of Grease, they finished in the bottom two after the public vote. Show insiders claim Michelle has been getting steamy with Hertfordshire student Bradley. Even the show's website says: 'Bradley and Michelle are one of the few couples that have been together since the first day of auditions at Boot camp. With Bradley showing signs of a soft spot for Michelle, could we see romance blossom?', it added.

But boyfriend Stewart denied the claims, insisting it was all an act to convince the judges they are right for the parts of Sandy and Danny in the musical.

'We are all aware of what's going on, I know how Michelle feels and she knows how she feels – there's nothing romantic going on between them,' he said.

'Bradley and Michelle have chemistry that works well for them, but it's a job at the end of the day and they are both professionals. 'I don't blame Bradley if he does fancy her, she's a very attractive girl – but as far as I'm aware there's nothing romantic going on.'

Fareham's Kate Somerset How and her partner Tom Bradley were voted off by judges after their version of Blame it on the Boogie.
rob.dabrowski@ thenews.co.uk

Article from PortsmouthToday.Co.Uk

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Hopes pinned on Grease poll
02 May 2007
EDITORIAL - whtimes@archant.co.uk

Bradley and Michelle
A PERFORMER hopes that public votes will take him through the finals of a TV talent show like Greased Lightnin'.

Bradley Clarkson from Datchworth is in one of seven couples still left on ITV's Grease is The Word.

The Saturday night show will select the next pair to play Sandy and Danny in this summer's West End stage production of the musical Grease.

Auditions began in February and the 25-year-old, who attended Sherrardswood School in Welwyn, has since been paired with Plymouth girl Michelle Antrobus.
Loyal supporters sister and mum Lydia and Chrissy
He told the WHT: "I found out about the programme while doing panto, but nearly missed the first audition because the letter got tidied away.

"My mum and I found it on the day, two hours before my audition, but fortunately I was allowed to reschedule it and eventually got through to the final eight."

He added: "It's been a fantastic experience.

"Michelle and I have been together from the start and we have great chemistry, so have a good chance of winning."

Each week finalists sing and dance a piece on a given theme, and are judged by a panel of three.

The decision of who goes out each week is then put to the public vote.

Last Saturday - the first show - they had to perform a disco piece, and Bradley and Michelle were surprised to find they were in the last two couples.

"It was totally unexpected because we were judge David Gest's favourite couple and we thought we did quite well performing Boogie Wonderland," he said.

"But I think the public often go for the underdog or the more well-known people whose story they have seen."

He added: "I think we are going to have to be more engaging and show more of our story if we want to win the public over."

On this occasion a performance of You're The One That I Want from the musical was enough to save them.

He said: "We really went for it.

"It gave us a fighting spirit which we hope to take with us to next week's show."

By Laurel Smithson

To support Bradley tune in to ITV1 on Saturday at 7.30pm. He's the one that we want! THE family of the talent show contender are running a campaign to get people to 'Vote Bradley'. Proud mum Chrissy Clarkson, 55, who owns Synergie salon in Knebworth, has filled the village with posters, printed off T-shirts and made banners supporting him. She told the WHT: "I'm not in the least bit surprised that he has got into the final. "Since he was little we have known there was something special about him that has set him apart. "He has always wanted to go into acting and singing, so these are exciting times now he has that chance."

Bradley's passion for acting started while he was at Sherrardswood School in Welwyn and had the chance to perform in school plays, she said.

This continued when he went on to Richard Hale School in Hertford, then Haileybury College for A-levels. He also attended Hertfordshire-based Top Hat stage school.

He took a degree in history and politics at the London School of Economics, but soon found the allure of the stage too strong and started a post graduate course in musical theatre at the Mountview in Wood Green, North London.

Half way through that, it has been put on hold now he has won a place in the finals of Grease is The Word.

"I'm so proud of him and pleased for him," said his mum.

"There are so many talented actors around, but having been given this opportunity hopefully he won't have those years in the wilderness like so many do.

"Once you reach the final there are so many talent scouts watching that we are hoping he will get spotted even if he does not win the show."

And with sister Lydia as one of this year's finalists for Miss Hertfordshire and father Eric in a touring band, showbusiness clearly runs in the family.

Slick Bradley facing Cowell's Grease test

27 April 2007

GREASE is the word for an East Herts man who has reached the finals in an ITV search for a Danny and Sandy to star in a new West End adaptation of the musical.

Bradley Clarkson, 25, of Raffin Green Lane, Datchworth, beat off competition from thousands of hopefuls to be selected as one of the eight Danny finalists in Simon Cowell's latest talent contest, Grease Is the Word, being screened on Saturday nights.

Bradley's mother, Chrissie, 55, said: "He had to sing and dance and, to his surprise and delight, he got through!"

The former pupil of Richard Hale School in Hertford and Haileybury in Hertford Heath underwent a series of auditions, including a gruelling boot camp, to prove he is as slick as John Travolta, who played the cool T-Bird in the 1978 film.

Chrissie said: "He's loving it. He'll go off to a corner and ring me, saying 'It's amazing! It's amazing!'"

During the boot camp, the 'Dannys' had to pick a Sandy to be their audition partner. Bradley is the only one who is still with his original choice.

The 16 finalists have been visiting recording and dance studios.

Chrissie said: "I'm really pleased for him. It's what he wants and he's going to give it his best shot. It's exciting and it's good fun."

Bradley, who worked at Shell shipping, has always had the acting bug. He has featured in Chorus Line and performed as Riff in West Side Story in productions at Stevenage's Gordon Craig Theatre.

The whole family have been in the public eye. His sister, Lydia, 24, is a Miss Hertfordshire finalist and his father, Eric, 57, used to play in a band.

Chrissie said: "It's a way of life at home."

Bradley can be seen on ITV1 tomorrow (Saturday, 28 April) at 7.30pm, when the public can vote for its favourite couple.

The results will be shown at 10pm, when one couple will be eliminated, with another pair going each week until the deciding show on June 9.

Viewers can also go behind the scenes with Greased Lightnin'on ITV2.

27 April 2007 - Article from Herts and Essex News

Review from Herts and Essex News

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