Fame Academy is the name of televised competition to search for and educate musical talents. The winner gets a chance to become a successful music artist. The programme ran from 2002 to 2005, with two major series and two special series. It was broadcast by the BBC and co-produced by an Endemol company called 'Initial'. The format was originally created in Spain under the title Operación Triunfo, and had already achieved major success around the world (especially France) under the name Star Academy. Corporate logo of the British Broadcasting Corporation The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the national public service broadcaster of the United Kingdom (see British television). ... Endemol is a television production company based in the Netherlands. ... Operación Triunfo is a reality-show-cum-talent-contest which first aired on Spains TVE network in 2001. ... Star Academy is a French reality show. ...

It is partly reality television, because the daily lives of the contestants could be watched through live streaming via Freeview. This was accomplished through the instalments of 'spycameras'. Coverage of the show was widely shown on BBC One, BBC Three, BBC Prime and the CBBC Channel. Reality television is a genre of television programming which generally is unscripted, documenting actual events over fiction, and featuring ordinary people over professional actors. ... Freeview is a free-to-air digital television service in the United Kingdom broadcast from terrestrial transmitters using the DVB-T standard. ... BBC One (or BBC1 as it was formerly styled) is the oldest television station in the world. ... BBC Three, the successor of the similar BBC Choice, is a British television channel from the BBC broadcasting only on digital cable, terrestrial and satellite. ... BBC Prime is the BBCs general entertainment TV channel in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. ... The CBBC Channel or simply CBBC is a British television channel aimed at 6 to 13 year olds produced by the BBC under the CBBC brand. ...

Concept

Although it was viewed by critics as being too similar to the Pop Idol series, it was presented as a relatively new concept. When it was launched, Fame Academy was quickly labelled as being television entertainment. However the programmemakers also included a long-term vision. (see bursary) Pop Idol is a British television series shown on ITV1; the show is a talent contest to find the best new young singer or pop idol in the UK. The Idol series has spun off dozens of successes such as American Idol, Canadian Idol, Australian Idol and A Star is... Entertainment is an amusement or diversion intended to hold the attention of an audience or its participants. ... Strategic planning is a way to identify and move toward desired future states. ...

For a series, it featured live music performances by a selected number of contestants. The pre-selection auditions were held nationwide by music professionals and the production crew. The final selection of contestants were presented to the public in the first airing of the series.

The television audience were allowed to vote their favorite contestant inside the Academy for a period of ten weeks as part of their musical education offered by the programme. This included fitness/dancing classes, individual vocal coaching, personal development periods and workshops with professionals. The contestants or 'students' stayed at Witanhurst, an historic Georgian-style mansion in Highgate that was specially redressed for the series. Fitness in biology refers to individuals ability to propagate its genes. ... A contemporary dancer rehearsing in a dance studio Dance (from Old French dance, further history unknown) generally refers to human movement either used as a form of expression (see also body language) or presented in a social, spiritual or performance setting. ... Witanhurst is the name of a historical Georgian-style mansion located on an 5 acre (20,000 m²) estate in the village of Highgate, North London. ... View of Highgate, John Constable, 1st quarter of 19th century. ...

Unlike Pop Idol, Fame Academy emphasised the creative talent of the students, such as writing their own songs and compositions. This was done through masterclasses with accomplished songwriters and musicians. Some of the self-penned material by the students was showcased through the live performance shows.

Series History

The show produced two flagship series and two spin-off specials.

• Fame Academy; Class of 2002
• Fame Academy; Class of 2003
• Comic Relief does Fame Academy (spin-off format set up for the Comic Relief charity in 2003, and returning for a second series in 2005)

The winner of the first series was David Sneddon and the second run was won by Alex Parks. Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character or scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension. ... David Sneddon (born Glasgow, September 15, 1978) is a British singer who sprang to fame when he won the first UK series of Fame Academy in 2002. ... Alex Parks performing live at Top of the Pops Alexandra Rebecca Parks, (born 26 July 1984) is a Cornish singer and songwriter. ...

Series One (2002)

Series One of Fame Academy hit screens in 2002. The live shows were presented by Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty. 2002 (MMII) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Cat Deeley, full name Catherine Elizabeth Deeley, is a British television presenter born in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, England on 23 October 1976. ... Popular Northern Irish TV host. ...

Eleven lucky contestants were showcased to the nation in the first live episode, while the first viewer vote of the series was announced in a surprise twist - three other potential finalists would be showcased to the nation - and the public could vote for who they wanted to enter the Academy, making up the final line-up of twelve contestants.

The public voted for Sinead Quinn to enter the Academy, joining Ashley House, Naomi Roper, Chris Manning, Camilla Beeput, Pippa Fulton, Marli Buck, Nigel Wilson, Katie Lewis, Malachi Cush, Ainslie Henderson and Lemar Obika. Sinead Quinn was born on the 24th of March 1990, and comes from the small town of Irvinestown, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. ... Ashley House (previously named The Crosskeys) is a 17th-Century cottage located in the parish of Paget in Bermuda. ... Marli Buck was born in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire in the mid 1970s. ... Malachi Cush is a talented singer/songwriter who released a debut album shortly after leaving Fame Academy. ... Ainslie Henderson was born on the 28th of January 1979 in Edinburgh, but was raised in Denholm near Hawick in the Scottish Borders. ... Lemar or Lemar Obika (born 4 April 1978- ) is a British r&b singer who has had a run of chart success in the UK since appearing on Fame Academy on BBC Television. ...

The contestants' time in the Academy included singing lessons with Carrie Grant, exhausting dance and exercise classes with Kevin Adams, and song-writing lessons with Pam Sheyne who wrote Christina Aguilera's hit single Genie in a Bottle. Headteacher Richard Park was also never far away, and managed to keep order for most of the series. Christina Aguilera from the 2002 Stripped promotional photoshoot Christina Maria Aguilera (born December 18, 1980 in Staten Island, New York), also known as Xtina, is an American-born pop singer-songwriter of Ecuadorian and Irish descent. ... Richard Park (Born on 10th March 1948 in Kirkcaldy, Fife) is a Media Consultant and broadcaster in the UK. He is best known for his appearances as the Headmaster of BBC TVs Fame Academy programmes. ...

The first drama of the series came within the first few days when problems with Naomi's voice meant that she would have to leave the Academy. She was replaced with David Sneddon, who came second in the viewer vote in the first episode of the series, which was won by Sinead. David Sneddon (born Glasgow, September 15, 1978) is a British singer who sprang to fame when he won the first UK series of Fame Academy in 2002. ...

Each week, the teachers put three contestants on probation. They would have to sing for survival live on Friday night on BBC One, in order to fight for their place in the Academy. The public would then vote for who they wanted to save - the person with the most votes would be safe. However, the fate of the two other contestants on probation was decided by their fellow contestants, who had to vote for who they wanted to save. In the event of a tie in the student vote the public votes would decide who is eliminated. All four contestants were put on probation in the penultimate week, with the public saving two. Friday is the fifth day of the week, falling between Thursday and Saturday. ... BBC One (or BBC1 as it was formerly styled) is the oldest television station in the world. ...

As well as the live shows, highlight shows aired at 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday nights on BBC One. A late night uncut show was later added to the schedules. Extra coverage was available on BBC Choice. Tuesday is considered either the second or the third day of the week, between Monday and Wednesday. ... Thursday, by international standard, is the fourth day of the week, falling between Wednesday and Friday. ... BBC Choice was a TV station from the BBC which launched on September 23, 1998. ...

As well as the dramas of singing for survival, there were dramas among the contestants too. David and Ainslie were rivals for most of the series. Camilla and Lemar got closer and closer, until on the night when all of the contestants returned to the house, they kissed in one of the bedrooms. Sinead and Malachi were also very close, but a relationship failed to materialise once they left the Academy.

The final three contestants were Lemar, Sinead and David. Lemar came in 3rd place. Sinead came second, while David won the series. Malachi, Ainslie, Lemar, Sinead and David all went onto release singles - David's as a result for the £1 million record contract that he secured when he won the show, while the others secured deals by themselves. However, the contestant with the best career so far has been Lemar.

Ratings were average, but not spectacular. Most of this was blamed on the format being too similar to Pop Idol, while fans of the reality tv element were disappointed by the awkward timings of the highlight shows. Despite this, a second series was commissioned. Pop Idol is a British television series shown on ITV1; the show is a talent contest to find the best new young singer or pop idol in the UK. The Idol series has spun off dozens of successes such as American Idol, Canadian Idol, Australian Idol and A Star is... Reality television is a genre of television programming in which the fortunes of real life people (as opposed to fictional characters played by actors) are followed. ...

Series Two (2003)

The second series of Fame Academy started in 2003, with some changes. Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty continued as lead presenters. Songwriting teacher Pam Sheyne did not return, and the role of dance teacher Kevin Adams was reduced. Headteacher Richard Park was nasty to contestants this year, in Simon Cowell style. Carrie Grant's husband, David Grant, joined the series as an extra voice coach. Bee Gee Robin Gibb joined the show as a judge for the live shows, along with the two Grant's and Park would held the casting vote. 2003 (MMIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Cat Deeley, full name Catherine Elizabeth Deeley, is a British television presenter born in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, England on 23 October 1976. ... Popular Northern Irish TV host. ... Richard Park (Born on 10th March 1948 in Kirkcaldy, Fife) is a Media Consultant and broadcaster in the UK. He is best known for his appearances as the Headmaster of BBC TVs Fame Academy programmes. ... Simon Philip Cowell (born October 7, 1959 in Brighton, England) is an English artist and repertoire executive for BMG, but is probably best known as a judge on the television programs Pop Idol, American Idol and The X Factor. ... David Grant (born August 8, 1956 in Hackney, London) is a British pop singer and celebrity vocal coach. ... Robin Gibb Robin Hugh Gibb CBE was born December 22, 1949, in Douglas, Isle of Man, the twin of Maurice Gibb (1949-2003). ...

The live singing for survival shows were moved to Saturday nights. Instead of taking place at Shepperton Studios, they took place from within the Academy itself. Highlight shows were axed from BBC One, but still aired on BBC Three. Saturday is the seventh day of the week, between Friday and Sunday. ... Shepperton Studios at Shepperton, Surrey, England is a film studio with a long history of film making. ... BBC One (or BBC1 as it was formerly styled) is the oldest television station in the world. ... BBC Three, the successor of the similar BBC Choice, is a British television channel from the BBC broadcasting only on digital cable, terrestrial and satellite. ...

For the first two weeks in the show, the final 25 contestants performed and the public voted for thirteen to enter the Academy. Six contestants performed in each of these four shows (seven in the first) with the two (three in the first show) with the most votes from the public gaining a place in the Academy while and the two with the least votes being eliminated. The fate of the remaining two was decided by the students who had already qualified with one of the two being 'saved' and given a place in the Academy.

This year's contestants were 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 and Alex Parks. Born on 27th August, 1971 Audley Anderson is a Singer/Songwriter who has appeared in Fame Academy, on CBBC, RISE and on all the major UK TV networks. ... James Fox is a pop music singer songwriter pianist and guitarist. ... Alistair Richard Griffin, (born 1 November 1977 in Middlesbrough), is a British singer/songwriter with a distinctive pure voice and a knack for writing catchy songs and melodic ballads. ... Alex Parks performing live at Top of the Pops Alexandra Rebecca Parks, (born 26 July 1984) is a Cornish singer and songwriter. ...

The elimination mechanism was also changed, in part to compete with Pop Idol. The public would vote on all. The three with the fewest number of public votes would be then at risk. The Judges saved one and the students the other, (with public votes being the tiebreaker. When there was only four left the Judges' would not longer have a vote, and the order of the final three remained solely up to the public.

The series started controversially, as it was revealed that several of the contestants already had song publishing contracts, although none were actually signed to record labels.

This year there was a fair amount of bitching in the Academy, with many of the girls openly stating that they felt uncomfortable around Barry. Producers decided to stir up trouble by showing footage of bitching during a brief highlights package on one of the live shows - which all of the students could see.

Peter and Alex were quick to make friends, but their friendship soon fizzled out when Peter accused Alex of having bad breath. She was angry at his lack of consideration for her feelings, and when it seemed as if her friend Carolynne was about to start a relationship with Peter, she was quick to register her disapproval.

Alistair and James also became firm friends, with James getting a reputation for his constant moaning, and Alistair consciously playing to the camera, doing impressions and clowning around. Alistair was later accused of betraying his friend by voting to save Peter instead of James in the live showdown.

Tensions ran high this year, with arguments regularly breaking out between the Fame Academy teachers. The two Grants often disagreed with Richard, while Robin Gibb tried to be nice to all of the students.

The main drama of the series came when host Patrick Kielty decided that he would fight the cause of the students each week, as Richard's criticisms got worse and worse. Richard launched a verbal attack against Patrick on live television, accusing Patrick of not allowing him to express his opinions. "Ladies and gentlemen, this man is so sycophantic it's tiring," he told the live audience. Regular arguments broke out between the pair week after week after this exchange. Opinions are still divided among fans about whether the arguments were staged for ratings or not. Popular Northern Irish TV host. ...

Highlights shown on the live streaming included late night singing sessions around the piano; Peter's outrageous behaviour on his trips out, his rows with Kevin, and his later relationship with Carolynne; Alex and Carolynne being punished for communicating off camera; Alistair getting drunk and climbing into Louise's bed; and the finalists' last evening which culminated in a game of 'Truth or Dare' with Alistair stripping to just his shirt and a guitar. Truth or Dare? is a game requiring a minimum of two players. ...

The live Fame Academy shows often clashed with the live shows of the startingly similar Pop Idol. Fame Academy usually came worse off in these ratings showdown, and fans disliked not being able to choose to watch both shows if they wished. Pop Idol is a British television series shown on ITV1; the show is a talent contest to find the best new young singer or pop idol in the UK. The Idol series has spun off dozens of successes such as American Idol, Canadian Idol, Australian Idol and A Star is...

Alex Parks was the winner of the second series, beating Alistair Griffin and Carolynne Good in the final showdown. The final was shown live, and an unscripted outburst by guest singer Daniel Bedingfield, favouring Alex, caused many viewers to complain of bias, although this was later denied by the BBC. Alex Parks performing live at Top of the Pops Alexandra Rebecca Parks, (born 26 July 1984) is a Cornish singer and songwriter. ... Alistair Richard Griffin, (born 1 November 1977 in Middlesbrough), is a British singer/songwriter with a distinctive pure voice and a knack for writing catchy songs and melodic ballads. ... Photograph From Official Site Daniel John Bedingfield is a UK-based singer songwriter. ...

Alex and Alistair were both immediately signed to major record labels and each went on to have a top 5 single. They have both subsequently released top 20 albums. Carolynne spent the following year songwriting and in 2005 toured the UK with Tony Christie. In 2004 James was chosen to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. Tony Christie (born Antony Fitzgerald in 25 April, 1943) is a British male singer from Conisborough, South Yorkshire. ... Running since 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest (in French: Concours Eurovision de la Chanson) is an annual televised song contest with participants from numerous countries whose national television broadcasters are members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). ...

It is currently unclear whether the show will return for a third series.

Comic Relief Does Fame Academy

Comic Relief Does Fame Academy is a spin-off from the Fame Academy format featuring celebrities as students and where proceeds from phone votes are donated to Comic Relief. This was far more successful than the original show, and many believe its success secured the second series of the main programme. Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character or scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension. ...

Series One (2003)

The first live show took place on March 7, 2003 and lasted until Red Nose Day on March 14, where the final show was presented and the winner is announced. Nine British celebrities moved into the Fame Academy. The celebrities were (in order of elimination): Paul Ross, Fearne Cotton, Jo Brand, John Thomson, Ulrika Jonsson, Doon Mackichan, Kwame Kwei-Armah, Ruby Wax and Will Mellor. March 7, 2003 Pravda reports that Georgia intends to seek UN Security Council approval to use military force against Abkhazia. ... For the 1998 movie, see Celebrity (1998 movie). ... Paul Ross (b. ... Fearne Cotton (born 3 September 1982 in Northwood, London) is a British television presenter. ... Jo Brand (born May 3, 1957) is a British feminist comedian. ... John Thomson on HUWRH John Thomson (born in 1969 in Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland) is a Northern Irish actor. ... Ulrika Jonsson (born 16 August 1967, in Sollentuna, near Stockholm) is a Swedish television presenter whose most famous work has been on British television. ... Doon Mackichan (born 1962, Fife, Scotland) is a British comedian. ... Kwame Kwei-Armah (born 1967) is a black British actor, singer and playwright. ... Ruby Wax (born April 19, 1953) is an American female comedienne who made a career in the United Kingdom as part of the alternative comedy scene in the 1980s. ... Will Mellor (born 3 April 1976, in Stockport, Cheshire, England) is a british actor and former pop star. ...

Most of the original Fame Academy teachers were back, including Richard Park, Carrie Grant, and Kevin Adams. David Grant was a newcomer, as a second voice coach. Richard Park (Born on 10th March 1948 in Kirkcaldy, Fife) is a Media Consultant and broadcaster in the UK. He is best known for his appearances as the Headmaster of BBC TVs Fame Academy programmes. ... David Grant (born August 8, 1956 in Hackney, London) is a British pop singer and celebrity vocal coach. ...

The same elimination mechanism as the 2002 series, with the teachers putting three on 'probation' each night, with the public saving one and the students the second.

However in the 'semi-final' with only three students left the producers decided to change the student vote to include all expelled students as well as the contestant saved by the public. Will, who saved by the public, voted to save Kwame, while all six of the expelled students voted to save Ruby, changing the lineup of the final two.

Will Mellor was the eventual winner of the show. Will Mellor (born 3 April 1976, in Stockport, Cheshire, England) is a british actor and former pop star. ...

Series Two (2005)

On February 26, 2005, Comic Relief Does Fame Academy returned for a second live airing. The production and broadcasting for the live shows was done from a new location on the south bank of the River Thames, between Tower Bridge and London City Hall. February 26 is the 57th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Thames (pronounced /temz/) is a river flowing through southern England and connecting London with the sea. ... Tower Bridge Sequence showing the bridge opening Tower Bridge in its river setting, looking east from the viewing platform of The Monument. ... City Hall in London is the headquarters of the Greater London Authority, and stands on the south bank of the River Thames near to Tower Bridge. ...

The celebrities that took part were, in order of eviction: Al Murray, Jenny Eclair, Konnie Huq, Jon Culshaw, Christopher Colquhoun, Gina Yashere, Nick Knowles, Dawn Steele, Debra Stephenson, Reggie Yates, Adrian Edmondson, Kim Medcalf and Edith Bowman. Al Murray (born 1968) is a British comedian best known for his stand-up persona, the Pub Landlord, a xenophobic public house licensee. ... Jenny Eclair (born 16 March 1960 in Kuala Lumpa, Malaysia), born Jenny Hargreaves, is a comedienne, actress and novellist, working in the United Kingdom. ... Konnie Huq (born July 17, 1975 in Ealing, London) is a presenter on British television. ... Jonathan Peter Culshaw is a British comedian and impressionist born on June 2, 1968 in Ormskirk, Lancashire. ... Christopher Colquhoun (born 10 January 1970 in Sheffield, England) is a British actor who trained at RADA. He is most famous for appearing as Simon Kaminski in the BBC drama series Casualty, from 2002 to 2004. ... Gina Yashere (born April 6, 1973 in Finsbury Park, London, England) is a British comedienne with Nigerian Parents. ... Nick Knowles is a British television presenter. ... Dawn Steele Dawn Anne Steele was born on December 11th, 1975 in Glasgow, Scotland. ... Debra Stephenson (born June 4, 1972) is a British actress. ... Reggie Yates (born 31 May 1983 in Archway, London, England) is a British actor and television presenter. ... Adrian Edmondson (sometimes credited as Ade Edmondson, born 24 January 1957 in Bradford, Yorkshire, England) is a British actor, comedian, director, and writer who gained fame as Vyvyan in The Young Ones in the early 1980s. ... Kim Medcalf (b. ... Edith Eleanor Bowman (born 15 January 1975 in Anstruther, Fife, Scotland) is a television presenter and a BBC Radio 1 D.J.. She presents a radio show, Colin and Edith, with Colin Murray on BBC Radio 1. ...

There were changes for this series. Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood and opera star Lesley Garrett were brought in as judges. Singing coaches Carrie Grant and David Grant were no longer on the judging panel, but were present during the live shows and were invited to give their views when necessary. Strictly Come Dancing is a popular British television show, shown on BBC1 based on ballroom dancing. ... You have new messages. ... The foyer of Charles Garniers Opéra, Paris, opened 1875 Opera refers to a dramatic art form, originating in Europe, in which the emotional content is conveyed to the audience as much through music, both vocal and instrumental as it is through the lyrics. ... Lesley Garrett (April 10, 1955 in Doncaster, South Yorkshire) is an internationally renowned English soprano singer. ... David Grant (born August 8, 1956 in Hackney, London) is a British pop singer and celebrity vocal coach. ...

The elimination mechanism was the same as the second series proper, however Park no longer had a casting vote in the event of the Judges' vote being tied, with the public vote resolving any deadlock.

The five remaining students were given a masterclass courtesy of McFly, who released All About You as Comic Relief's official single that year. McFly McFly is a pop group based in the United Kingdom The band members are Danny Jones (born March 12, 1986), Dougie Poynter (born November 30, 1987), Tom Fletcher (born July 17, 1985) and Harry Judd (born December 23, 1985). ...

The series had its fair share of drama and conflict. As with series two of the main show, host Patrick Kielty and headteacher Richard Park clashed continually throughout the series. While it was assumed by some that the arguments were staged to build up interest for the show, this appeared to be disproved when Park was spotted making a rude hand gesture towards Kielty, as co-host Cat Deeley was attempting to introduce the next act. Unusually, there was no on-air apology or further explanation by the BBC. Kielty even joked about the incident in a subsequent episode. Conflict is a state of opposition, disagreement or incompatibility between two or more people or groups of people, which is sometimes characterized by physical violence. ... Popular Northern Irish TV host. ... Richard Park (Born on 10th March 1948 in Kirkcaldy, Fife) is a Media Consultant and broadcaster in the UK. He is best known for his appearances as the Headmaster of BBC TVs Fame Academy programmes. ... Cat Deeley, full name Catherine Elizabeth Deeley, is a British television presenter born in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, England on 23 October 1976. ... Corporate logo of the British Broadcasting Corporation The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the national public service broadcaster of the United Kingdom (see British television). ...

The feud between Kielty and Park spilled over into the press after the show had ended. Park claimed that Kielty's presenting skills had been "sub-standard" and speculated that he would never be seen on BBC screens again. Kielty was later announced as the host of ITV's Celebrity Love Island Corporate logo of the British Broadcasting Corporation The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the national public service broadcaster of the United Kingdom (see British television). ... Independent Television (ITV) is the name given to the original network of British commercial television broadcasters, set up to provide competition to the BBC. In England and Wales the channel was recently rebranded ITV1 by ITV plc who own the regional broadcasting licences for the regions. ... Celebrity Love Island is an ITV reality TV show, in which 1 Irish and 11 single British celebrities go to a Fiji island in hopes of finding love. ...

Teachers Carrie and David were also involved in a feud with Craig Revel Horwood. Horwood regularly criticised the performances of the celebrities, particularly Debra Stephenson and Reggie Yates. In one episode of the show, Carrie accused Craig of trying to kill the spirits of the singers. You have new messages. ... Debra Stephenson (born June 4, 1972) is a British actress. ... Reggie Yates (born 31 May 1983 in Archway, London, England) is a British actor and television presenter. ...

There was also some speculation that the students were colluding with each other during the student vote to ensure 'close' results. The contestants asked the producers to be excused of the student vote, however the producers refused.

Because of this, many felt the students deliberately invoked a tie when there was only six left, so that the public would have the casting vote. To stop this happening in the semi-final, where a tie was also possible, ex-students also voted (making 11 votes in total, meaning no tie was possible. Therefore one student was put in the final by the public, another by the Judges and the third by the former and current students.

During the Comic Relief show on March 11 (Red Nose Day), Edith Bowman was announced as the winner. The runner-up was Kim Medcalf and in third place Adrian Edmondson. Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character or scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension. ... 11 March is the 70th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (71st in Leap year). ... For a description of the origin of the term comic relief see comic relief. ... Edith Eleanor Bowman (born 15 January 1975 in Anstruther, Fife, Scotland) is a television presenter and a BBC Radio 1 D.J.. She presents a radio show, Colin and Edith, with Colin Murray on BBC Radio 1. ... Kim Medcalf (b. ... Adrian Edmondson (sometimes credited as Ade Edmondson, born 24 January 1957 in Bradford, Yorkshire, England) is a British actor, comedian, director, and writer who gained fame as Vyvyan in The Young Ones in the early 1980s. ...

The series regularly attracted over eight million viewers, fuelling speculation that there could be a third series of the main show.

Charities

The long-term vision behind Fame Academy was to inspire young people into music. Beside the televised series, a project was launched during the 2002 series to fund a charity through the telephone voting of the live performance shows. This became the Fame Academy Bursary and is supported by Youth Music, British Council and the BBC. Allegorical personification of Charity as a mother with three infants by Anthony van Dyck Charity is a term in Christian theology (one of the three theological virtues), meaning loving kindness towards others; it is held to be the ultimate perfection of the human spirit, because it is said to both... The British Council is a partly UK Government-funded cultural relations organisation and a registered charity in the United Kingdom. ... Corporate logo of the British Broadcasting Corporation The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the national public service broadcaster of the United Kingdom (see British television). ...

It featured instrument/equipment awards and a number of three-year educational bursaries for the public to give them the opportunity to further their careers into music-making. The Bursary is still on-going and everyone is allowed to apply.

Production

Behind the scenes of Fame Academy was also a vast array of technical production personnel to ensure a smooth live broadcast on television. The 2002/2003 series was headed by a team of 9 production managers encompassing the area's of web production, 24/7 reality filming for live streaming, setup of the weekly live 'expulsion' performances both at Shepperton Studios and Witanhurst, daily live broadcasts for BBC Three and CBBC. In general they also ensured the smooth running on-location. This also meant to act as a liaison with local authorities (Southwark and Camden Council), get building consent and permissions from its planning departments, handle (tele)communications between BT and BBC TV Centre and keep track of Security, Health, Safety and Fire issues. 2002 (MMII) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2003 (MMIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Shepperton Studios at Shepperton, Surrey, England is a film studio with a long history of film making. ... Witanhurst is the name of a historical Georgian-style mansion located on an 5 acre (20,000 m²) estate in the village of Highgate, North London. ... BBC Three, the successor of the similar BBC Choice, is a British television channel from the BBC broadcasting only on digital cable, terrestrial and satellite. ... CBBC (a contraction of the previously-used name Childrens BBC) is the brand for the BBCs childrens television output aimed at children over six, across BBC One, BBC Two and the CBBC Channel. ... The Borough of Southwark(e) (pronounced ) is the area of London immediately south of London Bridge and part of the larger London Borough of Southwark. ... Camden is the name of several places in the United States of America: Camden, Alabama Camden, Arkansas Camden, Delaware Camden County, Georgia Camden, Indiana Camden, Maine Camden, Michigan Camden, New Jersey Camden County, New Jersey Camden (village), New York Camden (town), New York Camden, Ohio Camden, South Carolina Camden, Tennessee...

External links

Homepages

• Homepage for the Fame Academy Bursary
• Homepage for the Fame Academy series

Pressreleases by the BBC

• The launch of Fame Academy in 2002
• Introducing the second series in 2003
• About the Bursary
• About the new students for Comic Relief does Fame Academy 2005

Other

• UK Gameshows Page: Fame Academy
• Homepage of Youth Music
• Homepage of British Council