reasons for their choice. This system — considered to be distasteful by many viewers — was used until the penultimate week, from which point the judges no longer had a vote. For the Final Three, the outcome was entirely in the hands of the viewing public. As a result of this, the content of the live shows also changed. With each student singing for survival every week there was less time available to showcase the students' other performing skills. Duets and group songs, and the students' own compositions, could not be included in the show until later in the series when fewer contestants remained. The change of venue to a much smaller space also limited students to more static performances. The students This series' contestants were in order of elimination: Audley Anderson Nick Hall Lorna Grant Gary Phelan Simone Stewart Louise Griffiths Barry McKeever Paris Campbell-Edwards James Fox Peter Brame Carolynne Good Alistair Griffin Alex Parks The series started controversially, as it was revealed that several of the contestants already had songwriting contracts, although none were actually signed to recording contracts. Highlights shown on the live streaming included late-night singing sessions around the piano; Peter's outrageous behaviour on his trips outside the Academy, his rows with Kevin, and his later relationship with Carolynne; Alex and Carolynne being punished for communicating off camera; Alistair getting drunk, climbing into Louise's bed, and apologising the following day; and the finalists' last evening which culminated in a game of 'Truth or Dare' with Alistair stripping to his shirt. The Final Alex won the series, beating Carolynne and finally Alistair in the final showdown. The final of the competition was shown as two separate live programmes, to allow viewers to cast their votes for the last two contestants during the interval. The first show was aired at 6.30pm. Viewers were then able to vote for their favourite and the contestant with the fewest votes was eliminated, with the two winners going on to the final showdown which began later the same evening at 9.30pm! On the first showdown each of the three contestants performed two songs – one new cover and the student's favourite song that they had performed during the series. The series judges were joined by guest judge, radio and TV presenter Jonathan Ross, and gave their opinions on air. Alistair and Alex were voted through to the final, and each performed another