Let It Shine semi final leaves viewers divided as Iron Sun depart

After the excellent twist of being able to choose 5 from 10, taking one entire band through felt like cheating.

In such a tight competition though, Gary’s reasoning made sense: A new mix of boys would be at a disadvantage going into the final against Nightfall and Five to Five, who’ve basically owned the last two weeks.

I suspect the judges – in order to remain a good mix – would have already re-grouped the remaining lads a certain way in terms of style, vocal and personality. Thus Drive made it through intact, though I admit I was hoping Iron Sun’s charismatic Jordan and Harry, whose vocal was again outstanding this week, could have joined them. But then, who to leave out?

Singing poignant Beatles songs (Something in the Way She Moves for Drive, The Long and Winding Road for Iron Sun) there was very little to choose between them in the sing off. Overall, I felt Drive were better vocally in the main performance, plus, the awesome dance break which was as tight as an elastic band ball. They also shaded it in their opening slot with Pray. Obviously they did, and it worked.

Talking of opening – that was some way to kick start the semi: a Take That medley with Gary, Mark and Howard and the show’s title track Shine, with Five to Five taking only a minute, Iron Sun asking Could It Be Magic and Nightfall relighting our fire. It was no wonder Mel couldn’t cope, ending up face down on the floor.

The collectively baby-faced Five to Five were ridiculously confident on stage with Billy Joel’s Tell Her About It, seasoned pros after a matter of weeks. And Curtis’ voice is incredible. Gary wants to be in their band but he’s too old. Martin called them an express train. I can see them quite easily being The Band, except, there are others I really want in it too and I have no idea who to drop.

Iron Sun could perhaps feel a little aggrieved as I don’t think the song choice of Lady GaGa’s Born This Way did them any favours. Martin felt the same way, it was lacking unity and charisma, though he singled out Jordan for praise.

I also felt that Girls on FIlm wasn’t a great pick for Drive – it’s not one of the 80s classics you hear much – but they handled it well, especially Mark with the opening. And as stated previously, their dance break was outstanding.

Nightfall, apart from a dodgy bit of harmony right at the end, were vocally and physically strong in Without You (Usher) with Huw getting the opportunity to shine (although it’s still hard not to listen out for Jason). It’s an incredibly strong group with, as Gary said, an invisible thread running through them, they know instinctively where they are in relation to each other.

Guest judging duties this week fell to The Pussycat Dolls and musical theatre star Ashley Roberts, who was looking for precision, attack, connection with the audience and fun. And that’s exactly what she got. Even the original non-dancers have gained enormously in confidence and skills and there was no-one who stood out for the wrong reasons. The mentoring these lads are getting seems way more rigorous than any other talent show I’ve previously seen.

Guest judge next week? It’s none other than Robbie Williams. And we get to choose The Band! BBC1, 6.45pm.

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