Current and former Lutonians had a busy time on reality TV shows this week, taking part in Strictly, X Factor and Young Apprentice.
A nervous Union J did not have long to wait to hear their fate on Sunday’s X Factor, as they were the first act to be put through to next week’s show by the public vote.
The boyband featuring Stopsley’s Jaymi Hensley were in the bottom two the week before, but their rendition of Love Story by Taylor Swift found them favour with the public once again.
X Factor judges Gary Barlow OBE and Tulisa Contostavlos praised the boys for their “massive improvement” and their mentor Louis Walsh was delighted with the praise.
Jaymi’s hometown got a mention on the show, as the boys all spoke about their “normal backgrounds”, and Jaymi was labelled the ‘dad’ of the group. The group have over 500,000 followers on Twitter, follow @UnionJWorld.
> On Young Apprentice, Lutonians David Odhiambo and Amy Corrigan faced Lord Alan Sugar for the first task in the series.
Cardinal Newman student Amy fared better than Luton Sixth Form student David, as the girls’ team Platinum won the first task with a profit of £453 compared to the boys’ £330. Sixth Form student council chariman David came up with the boys’ team name of Odyssey and managed to persuade Lord Sugar not to fire him this week.
In tomorrow’s episode, the young apprentices will have to design a new cookery book.
Out of this autumn’s reality TV race is actor Colin Salmon, who said he was “gutted” to be voted off by the Strictly Come Dancing judges at the weekend after he and partner Kristina Rihanoff were in the bottom two for the second week running.
Paying tribute to Kristina, the former Ashcroft High School student said: “Russian dancers have a completely different level of commitment and discipline.”
He said he felt the judges were unfair on them, particularly give the height difference between them. “There was no leeway given. Any mistakes I made they were picked up on, but with others it was allowed.”
Tipping Louis Smith for this year’s Strictly crown, Colin added: “I wanted to go further for everyone back in Luton – I’m so grateful for all the support.”