Popstar to Operastar series 2


The second and final series of Popstar to Operastar began on 4 June 2011, with eight celebrities in competition to become an opera singer, after achieving success as a popstar. The judges were confirmed; with Rolando Villazón and Katherine Jenkins and two new judges Vanessa-Mae and Simon Callow, who took over the places of Meat Loaf and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. Myleene Klass returned as the presenter taking on sole presenting duties as Alan Titchmarsh did not return.

Background

On 4 August 2010 Group Finance Manager, Ian Griffiths, confirmed at ITV's Interim Results Meeting that Popstar to Operastar had been recommissioned for a second series.
On 12 May 2011, Digital Spy revealed the full line-up for series 2: X Factor winner 2009 Joe McElderry, Ultravox frontman Midge Ure, Toploader's Joe Washbourn, Erasure's Andy Bell, Bucks Fizz's Cheryl Baker, The Pussycat Dolls' Melody Thornton, Steps' Claire Richards and US soul singer Jocelyn Brown.
In the same article it was confirmed that Myleene Klass would present Series 2 alone. Meat Loaf and Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen would be replaced as judges by Simon Callow and Vanessa Mae.
The second series aired on Sundays at 8pm. It began Sunday 5 June 2011, finishing its run on Sunday 10 July 2011.

Popstars

PopstarSolo/Group/BandStatus
Midge UreUltravox/SoloistEliminated 1st
on 5 June 2011
Jocelyn BrownSoloistEliminated 2nd
on 12 June 2011
Melody ThorntonPussycat DollsEliminated 3rd
on 19 June 2011
Andy BellErasureEliminated 4th
on 26 June 2011
Joseph WashbournToploaderEliminated 5th
on 3 July 2011
Claire RichardsStepsThird place
on 3 July 2011
Cheryl BakerBucks FizzRunner-up
on 10 July 2011
Joe McElderrySoloistWinner
on 10 July 2011

Results summary

Colour key:
Indicates that the casting vote would lie with that judge if the panel reached a split decision.

Indicates that the casting vote was required as the panel failed to reach a majority decision

Episodes

Voting percentages are from ITV.com

Week 1

Performances
Did not perform
  • Andy Bell
  • Jocelyn Brown
  • Claire Richards
  • Joseph Washbourn
Bottom two
Voting Results
Rolando Villazón and Vanessa-Mae saved Midge Ure. Simon Callow and Katherine Jenkins saved Melody Thornton.
Guest Performers
Katherine Jenkins - "Una voce poco fa" from The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini

Week 2

Performances
Did not perform
  • Cheryl Baker
  • Joe McElderry
  • Melody Thornton
Bottom two
Voting Results
Only Simon Callow voted to save Jocelyn Brown, with remaining three judges saving Joseph Washbourn
Guest Performers
  • Rolando Villazón - "No puede ser"

Week 3

Performances
Bottom two
  • Melody Thornton - Eliminated on judges decision 3-1
  • Joseph Washbourn
Voting Results
Only Vanessa-Mae voted to save Melody Thornton, with remaining three judges saving Joseph Washbourn
'''Guest Performers'''

Week 4

Performances
Bottom two
'''Guest Performers'''

Week 5 (Semi Final)

Performances
Result
  • Joseph Washbourn - Eliminated by public after receiving the fewest votes
  • Claire Richards - Eliminated after finishing third in the public vote
Guest Performers
Note: Rolando Villazón was absent as a judge in this episode because of a concert he had in Switzerland. Therefore, opera tenor Alfie Boe filled in for him.

Week 6 (Final)

Performances
Result
  • Joe McElderry - Winner by public vote receiving 77.1% of the votes
  • Cheryl Baker - Runner-up by public vote receiving 22.9% of the votes
Guest Performers

Ratings

Episode Viewing figures from Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
Episode No.AirdateTotal ViewersITV1 Weekly Ranking
04 June 20115,980,00023
15 June 2011 4,260,00029
25 June 2011 Under 3,620,000Outside Top 30
312 June 2011 3,790,00020
412 June 2011 Under 2,990,000Outside Top 30
519 June 2011 3,070,00022
619 June 2011 2,710,00030
726 June 2011 2,870,00029
826 June 2011 2,980,00024
93 July 2011 3,010,00022
103 July 2011 3,450,00016
1110 July 2011 3,470,00017
1210 July 2011 4,220,00013

Impact

After the show, Joe McElderry signed a record deal with label Decca, and it was announced he was to release an album of classics, to expose his operatic voice. The album was titled 'Classic' and it was released in August 2011 and charted at no.2, the highest chart position for an album Joe has ever released.