We review this year’s celebrity cheesy pop albums… will you be splashing your cash?
TAYLOR SWIFT and her fellow pop megastars’ place at the top of the charts is under attack . . . from TV celebs.
Soap stars, quiz show hosts, actors and comics have all shown they can more than hold a tune.
Last year the race for best-selling debut album was won by The Chase’s Bradley Walsh.
And this time, so-called “Personality pop” looks set to dominate the charts.
But are they any good?
Here, Nick Pritchard asks legendary Radio One DJ “Diddy” David Hamilton for his verdict.
BRADLEY WALSH
When You're Smiling
IS there anything this man can’t do? He is a great gameshow host, stand-up comic, actor and now singer.
Bradley’s first release was the UK’s best-selling debut album of 2016 and this could be another chart topper.
It’s packed with standards and a great big band.
His natural charm shines through here, but as for the singing? He can hold a note yet he’s no Matt Monro . . . but then who is?
Score: 4/5
ANTON DU BEKE
From The Top
MANY thought Anton should have been the new Strictly judge – but then we would have missed his dancing.
Sir Bruce Forsyth was an enormous inspiration to him and you can clearly hear that on this record.
He definitely has that likeability factor and I’m convinced one day a TV company will find a really good vehicle for him – and I don’t mean a taxi home, because this music is great.
Score: 4/5
SHERIDAN SMITH
Sheridan
I’M not sure Sheridan deserves a place on this list with other TV stars.
She is just as good a singer as she is an actress with her regular leading roles in the West End.
She was absolutely brilliant as Cilla in the TV drama and her version of Anyone Who Had A Heart might be even better than Cilla’s original.
Sheridan is a huge talent and definitely my pick of the bunch.
Score: 5/5
ALISTAIR McGOWAN
The Piano Album
MY favourite mimic really creates an impression as a classical pianist.
He certainly sounds good on what I’m told is a Bosendorfer Grand piano.
If you like relaxing classical music and fancy a little tinkle at Christmas, this is for you.
It’s the perfect background music while you scoff the mince pies and have a glass of sherry.
This shows Alistair has many strings to his bow.
Score: 3/5
SHANE RICHIE
A Country Soul
EASTENDERS favourite Shane loves singing so much he says he’s prepared to give up acting to concentrate on the warbling.
This is a country music album and it sounds like party music. If you’re a fan of the star of stage and small screen – and there are plenty of them – roll up the carpet and sing-along-a-Shane.
But, however good this is, I’m not sure he should give up the day job just yet.
Score: 3/5
MOST READ IN CELEBRITY
NICK KNOWLES
Every Kind Of People
HIS love of music started with sing- along sessions with the crew of TV’s DIY SOS. Millions of women will sigh at the sight of hunky Nick with his guitar and deep, gritty country voice.
What I liked most about this record was the string accompaniment – it was really inspired.
Some of it did sound slightly off key.
Just like in his DIY TV show, there are a few little flats Nick needs to work on.
Score: 2/5
TOMMY BLAIZE
Life & Soul
WHAT could be more familiar than the voice of Strictly? The lead singer of the house band is usually impersonating other singers, but here we get to hear Tommy’s real voice – and it has got some soul.
Strictly is the biggest show on telly so a lot of fans will be buying this. But if I wanted to hear Let’s Stay Together I’d go for the original and best by Al Green instead.
Wouldn’t you?
Score: 4/5
ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG
In A Winter Light
WHEN you’re hot, you’re hot. The BBC love him and ITV want him – there is no better time to make an album.
He wanted to be a singer but felt there wasn’t much work for a bass baritone, so turned to comedy. I met Xander when I was a Pointless Celebrity – I got knocked out in the second round.
This record is really warm. Christmas in the Armstrong house will be sweet-sounding indeed.
Score: 4/5
JASON MANFORD
A Different Stage
JASON’S voice makes ladies go weak at the knees – usually by making them double up with laughter at his stand-up routine.
But I was surprised that he is such a good singer. If you love musicals, this is the record for you. Jason has previously toured in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – so is this record a classic vintage beauty or an old wreck fit for the scrapyard? Hard to say . . .