Did you see that Boyband “Connected”? All mates and all can sing well.... yeah right. More like put together by Simon & Co.

They just so happen to have everything but the image and so need him, how convenient.

Anyone else notice the lack of Geordie accents? A total joke.

Not everybody auditioning at Newcastle will be from Newcastle. People from Durham City, for example, will have found that their closest audition was the one at Newcastle, and in Durham City they do not speak with a Geordie accent.

I thought Simon was right that the boy band is out of date, but my main problem would be that they are all at the age when their voices could change at any moment. Will they still be able to sing by the time of the Royal Variety Show? The girls won't mind because they just like to ogle the boys and they'll scream support no matter what the boys sound like.

The girl singer had a good voice but there are so many similar girl singers. BGT gave her a platform and she'll now be heard around the world (via Youtube, etc.) but does she really stand out from the numerous other good girl singers. Is having a decent voice enough in itself?

The elephant was the only piece of originality on last night's show.

Emma Bee wrote:
The elephant was the only piece of originality on last night's show.

ITV, folks!

What better way is there for Simon to get his new act seen by 10 million people? This kind of publicity would cost a ridiculous amount but it not only costs Simon nothing, he’s getting paid for it!

The boys have been brought together based on their talent and cutesy appeal but it’s got to look convincing and it’s got to get ratings so it needs a bit of staging. Therefore at first Simon isn’t sure about them and gets booed, but reluctantly takes them under his wing and sorts out their image.

They’re popular because they’re just regular ‘mates’ who proved Simon wrong. He smugly grins and says, “I was wrong about you” and becomes a little more likable. Win win, pocket the profit.

Of course you are right - I just wish everyone could see it and boycott this and the dreaded X Factor. I am convinced they get the viewing figures because tv is very poor and there is nothing else on worth watching.

I have been banging on about the audition processes for years but to no avail. The really good singers do not get through at the initial auditions and the weird and poor acts are put through for 'entertainment'. Is it that the acts they have decided to promote are decided beforehand.......!!??

I agree about Connected. I'm in a church choir and know several members who's voices start to go once they get to between 13 and 15. One of our main singers only just got promoted to leading boy and woke up to find he had no singing voice at all. My days are numbered! Eek!

The best thing when that happens is to rest your voice for about a year, so there is no guarantee that Connected will still be able to perform by the time of the final. I guess they could mime.