http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF4LVIJSwgwendofvid
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By Chris Johnson

First to go: Page 3 girl Amy Diamond was axed from Over The Rainbow tonight and is the first of the 11 contestants to get the boot


She insists she is proud of her glamour modelling past and even thought it might help her on her quest to become a West End star.

But tonight Amy Diamond discovered she was, perhaps, just a little bit too sexy to play sweet sixteen Kansas girl Dorothy.


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The 22-year-old was the first of the 11 contestants to be given the boot from Over The Rainbow after she came in the bottom two following the public vote.

On Saturdays she impressed the judges with her performance of Fergie's Big Girls Don't Cry, but was told to tone down her act and stop fluttering her eyelids so much.

Head judge Andrew Lloyd Webber told Amy she'd be great in Legally Blonde, but conceded she just wasn't right for the role of Dorothy.

Instead he chose to save Steph Fearon, who came in the bottom two and faced the sing-off with Amy.


So long: She came in the bottom two with Steph Fearon after the public vote


Commiserations: She tells host Graham Norton she will continue to pursue her West End dream

The pair each had to perform a rendition of Whistle Down the Wind from musical Whistle Down the Wind to survive.

Then it was up to Lord Lloyd-Webber alone to choose one of them to stay in the talent contest.

He said: 'This is an extraordinary competition. You two girls are the slight misfits in it, because we are seeking to fill the particular role of Dorothy.


Nail-biting wait: The 11 Dorothys wait to hear their fate


Tense: Steph and Amy with fellow contestant Sophie Evans


'In one sense you’re both not right for Dorothy… but tonight I have to save Steph.

'Amy, I genuinely think you’re fantastically talented… but you’re just not quite right for this role.'

On hearing the announcement Amy said: 'I’m really gutted, but I’ve had an amazing time.

'I did what I came here to do. It shows you can be whoever you are – a model like me, you can be a mum, or work in a bank – you can fulfill your dreams, and I am going to keep pursuing my dreams.'


Off she goes: Amy give her Dorothy shoes to Steph


In an interview with The Sun at the weekend Cheshire-born Amy spoke about her modelling career, saying it taught her about the entertainment industry.

In her career Amy has posed half-naked outside Parliament and appeared in tabloids and lads magazines.

She said: 'Modelling was a great experience for me - it really opened my eyes to the entertainment industry.

'It enabled me to fund my singing and dancing lessons and go to auditions. I'm hoping it's not going to affect my changes at all.


Up and away: She then makes her exit as she is hoisted away on a giant 'D'


'It's just a part of who I am. It shows I was willing to do anything to make my dreams come true.'

But as judge Sheila Hancock noted, Amy looked a little bit too sexy to play Dorothy.

On Saturday night she told her: 'You’re a fantastic performer and very attractive. I worry that Dorothy is a girl who looks things straight in the eye, and never uses girly-ness.

'She’s got to be very straight, but sometimes you find it difficult to strip that away. I would like to see you do something when you don’t fall back on that.'


Last chance saloon: Amy had to sing a rendition of Whistle Down the Wind from musical Whistle Down the Wind in the sing-off


Dorothy mash-up: The 11 finalists slipped into sultry red and black outfits in the results show to perform Alexandra Burke's hit Broken Heels


And judge John Partridge seemed to agree: 'I have to tell you Amy, I championed you - but I feel like you need to come out next time and be a bit less MTV and a bit more West End. More Dorothy, less Diamond.'

Safe for another week were Stephanie Davis, Lauren Samuels, Danielle Hope, Jessica Robinson, Bronte Barbe, Dani Rayner, Steph Fearon, Jenny Douglas, Sophie Evans and Emilie Fleming.

On Saturday Emilie was voted back as the 'wild card' Dorothy after failing to make the final 10 in the launch show last week.

In emotional scenes the 19-year-old learnt she had been selected to make a return following the viewer vote.


Head judge Andrew Lloyd Webber had to make the final decision and chose to save Steph, seen here with fellow judges Charlotte, John and Sheila


Last week head judge Andrew Lloyd Webber and the rest of his panel whittled down the 20 West End hopefuls to 10.

But the public were then given the chance to bring back one of the wannabe Dorothys who failed to make the grade.

Emilie, who sang in the chorus of the 20th anniversary production of Les Miserables aged 14, thanked the public for giving her another chance.

However, it appeared nerves got the better and she failed to set the stage alight as she performed a rendition of Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway.


Second chance: Emilie Fleming was revealed as the 'wild card' Dorothy who the public had voted back into the contest in Over The Rainbow on Saturday


Emotional: The Geordie teenager was told the news this week at head judge Andrew Lloyd Webber's home


Judge Charlotte Church told her: 'I feel like you've lost a bit of your self confidence a bit. I think that lacked vocal control.'

Fellow panellist Sheila Hancock then piped up: 'I didn't want her to go in the first place, can I say.

'To be rejected and then come back, it's hard... But our business is about that. You sort of did [come back] but not enough.'



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