Pub Idol winner is crowned - and watch the video of the final here
GRIMSBY’S Mark Stoneman has been crowned Pub Idol 2008.
Twelve finalists battled it out at Cleethorpes’ Submarine Pub last night in a bid to scoop the coveted title, and the judges chose Mark as their overall winner.
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Pub Idol winner Mark Stoneman is crowned
But, the excitement proved too much for one member of the audience – who passed out shortly before the winner was announced.
Barrie Woods (67), from Scartho, was there to support Mark and his granddaughter Amy Greetham (21) – Mark’s girlfriend – who were both battling it out in the final.
His son-in-law David Greetham said: “He got too hot and collapsed.
“He spent the rest of the night outside in the cool air and seemed to be OK.”
Pub Idol 2008 winner Mark Stoneman gets a kiss from girlfriend Amy Greetham – who was also a finalist and ended up fourth – after winning the final at the Submarine. Top right, runner-up Sarah Lowe and, below, third-placed Yasmin Ellis.
Mark (23) – who only made it through to the final as wild card entrant – scooped £500 prize money and an all expenses paid trip to sing at a hotel in Dubai
The talented singer, sang February Song, by Josh Groban, and One Week, by Barenaked Ladies, to cinch the title.
He said: “I feel great, this is the second year I’ve entered the competition and I can’t believe it.
“I’m lost for words, I really didn’t think I would win.”
Mark, who plans to spend his prize money on a new acoustic guitar to help his singing career, added: “The trip to Dubai really is a once in a lifetime performance, I don’t think I’ll belive it until I get there.”
The trip, which was only confirmed as a prize last night, is being provided by Pub Idol sponsor Poole’s Music, and guest judge Paul Weeks.
Compere Paul Wood (left) holds the trophy as he introduces the finalists of Pub Idol 2008 at the Submarine pub in Cleethorpes last night. Inset, judges (from left) Pete Dixey, Lucy Wood, Diane Belding, Paul Weeks and Emma McCutcheon.
Local pub entrepreneur Paul joined Poole’s Music owner Pete Dixey, musical theatre guru Emma McCutcheon, the Grimsby Telegraph’s news editor Lucy Wood and the Grimsby Auditorium’s general manager Diane Belding on the deciding judging panel.
Lucy said: “It was a fantastic final and the standard of singing was incredibly high.
“So many people turned out to support the singers and it was a great event.
“Mark chose two very different songs which showcased his vocal ability – he was a very popular winner.”
Paul, who also donated prizes for the top five contestants, said: “The quality of singers was outstanding.
“They were some of the best performers I have ever heard in this town.”
Taking second place was Sarah Lowe (19) – a teacher at Cliftons Dance Academy – who came second after a split judges vote for first place.
She said: “I can’t believe I did so well.
“I’m really happy to come second to Mark, he really deserved it and I’ll probably enter next year to see if I can win then.”
Sarah’s prize is the chance to perform at Cleethorpes’ Bar Babylon; Yasmin Ellis in third place will enjoy a night at the adjacent Sugar Sugar hotel; Amy Greetham who came fourth won a meal at Bar Babylon, and Simone Litchfield who was placed fifth will enjoy a meal at Chambers, Grimsby.
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by Harry, Grimsby
Monday, October 06 2008, 8:33AM
“Brilliant night, all the singers did a great job. I spoke to the Compere on the night regarding the sound and they had to go through the Sub's sound system which is why it was a bit off, the rest of the heats were fine so it's a bit of a shame, i think they did the best they could with what they had on offer to them. I think it was the right decision to have them sing acapella, it really sorted the men from the boys, some singers were clearly hiding behind their backing tracks. All in all a great night, well done Mark.”
by Jay, Grimsby
Sunday, October 05 2008, 2:16PM
“Well done to all the singers. The compare was excellent. Very professional. Shame about the venue. Ridiculously unsuitable for the final. Not big enough by far, no proper stage or facilities for the competitors and hardly any seats for the audience. The sound quality was non existent so the singers were mostly competing against a distortedly loud backing track so you couldn't hear them properly or even see them! What happened to the sound 'technician'? I dd wonder why a large number of the audience had bothered to come as they clearly had no interest in listening to the singers but I understand it was because the public were let in. In that case why did 120 of us pay for a ticket! Many of the competitors family members and friends could not get a ticket to come and support them because of the limit but we were forced to put up with rude, drunken loudmouths trying to ruin the night! Come on telegraph, sort it out properly for next year! There are so many better venues to chose from. I also feel there should be a semi final as in the x factor. The finalists could then sing at least two full songs to showcase their voice properly,as in the heat, as well as singing acapella. Surely they deserve more time not less in the final. This is a great event for the town which deserves much better organisation.”
by Dave, Waltham
Saturday, October 04 2008, 10:32AM
“Well done Stoney! a deserved winner. Enjoy Dubai. The judges got it spot on. The top 4 ( Sarah, Yasmin & Amy) were the best singers.
As soon as the venue was announced i said it was the wrong place. 120 tickets were sold , that should have been the maximum capacity but then the doors were opened to the general public. No wonder Baz collapsed it was far too packed with no ventilation. We tried to get him outside through the fire exit , but it was CHAINED AND PADLOCKED. I gave my views to the telegraph reporter but he has forgotten to mention it in his review!, If there had been a fire , 200 people would have been burned alive. Absolutly disgusting! I have contacted the fire brigade who are looking into it. Why not have it at Lucarly's or the Beachcomber , somewhere larger with a proper stage , instead of that flea pit !
Apart from that it was a really good show, Paul Wood was a brilliant host , even managing to control the gobby drunks at the back, well done!.
Great show , Poor venue.
Looking forward to next year .”
by Brownie, GY
Friday, October 03 2008, 2:19PM
“Well done Stoney, The Voice of an angel. Always knew you had it in ya! Have a good time in Dubai”
by Emma, Clee
Friday, October 03 2008, 10:08AM
“Fair enough Amybird if you spoke to the boss, it's a shame though cos i've been to quite a few of the other Heats and everything went just fine, the guys who were running the actual comp did good, shame the Sub couldn't have kept up the standards set by them. I thought the compere was great, really got everyone going and created a great atmosphere, like you said, it was still a great night and all the singers did a great job. Roll on next year!”