Over The Rainbow: Stephanie Davis is left 'gutted' as she is eliminated from last night's show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNMwEIi7Tocendofvid
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By Georgina Littlejohn

End of a dream: Stephanie Davis sings her last song and bids farewell as she becomes the fifth Dorothy hopeful to leave Over The Rainbow


Merseyside teenager Stephanie Davis became the fifth Dorothy wannabe to leave Over The Rainbow last night.

The 17-year-old said she was 'gutted' after Andrew Lloyd Webber chose to save Steph Fearon after the two girls went head-to-head in a sing-off after they received the fewest votes from the public.

The two competitors attempted to stay in by singing Tell Me On A Sunday, prompting Andrew Lloyd Webber to use his casting vote to save Steph, 21.

He said: 'I know what both of you can do - you're both extraordinarily talented.
'I don't think this is the right pair, but all things considered the person I have to save is Steph.'

Stephanie, who lives with her parents and two younger brothers in Prescot, said: 'I'm gutted.


Smile through the tars: Stephanie put on a brave face as she was comforted by host Graham Norton


'I'm absolutely devastated because I wasn't ready to go - it was too soon. I feel I had so much more to give.

'But I've loved every minute of it. It's been an amazing journey and I've learnt so much.

'I didn't expect to get this far.'

In last night's 'big band' show, Stephanie received a mixed reaction following her rendition of Mr Bojangles, described as a 'very difficult song for a girl'.


We'll miss you: The remaining contestants sing Over The Rainbow with Stephanie and say goodbye as she floats on a silver moon above them


Expert panellist John Partridge said he did not understand the story - of a tap-dancing man in prison remembering his dead dog - while Charlotte Church disagreed and praised Stephanie for bringing a 'new and fresh' interpretation.

Lord Lloyd-Webber said: 'That's a very difficult bittersweet song, very difficult for a girl to sing: it's about a man in prison. You could maybe have told two sides to the story more.'

Stephanie said Mr Bojangles may not have been the best choice for her and wanted the chance to show 'different' sides to her performance.

After performing, she said she knew she would be voted off and added: 'I had a gut feeling - a feeling across my chest - so I was prepared.'


Dorothy mash-up: The girls sang a medley of three songs - Well Did You Evah from the musical High Society, Pink's Get The Party Started, and Tone Loc's Wild Thang


Stephanie has had small roles on a number of TV shows including Doctors, Holby City and The Outsiders.

She has also starred in musicals at the Liverpool Empire Theatre and said she enjoys all aspects of performance.

Her plan now is to move to London and pursue a career 'doing her dream', she said.

The remaining six hopefuls will be whittled down to four next week in a double-elimination special with one contestant leaving on Saturday and another on Sunday.


Soul sisters: The girls perform their version of The Supremes' song The Happening
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