'Popstar to Operastar' final pairing decided

The pairing for the final of 'Popstar to Operastar' was decided last night.

Cheryl Baker of Bucks Fizz and 'X Factor' winner Joe McElderry will compete in the final of the ITV1 show after surviving the semi-final.

Toploader's Joseph Washbourn and former Steps singer Claire Richards went out of last night's show as a result of the public vote.

Richards said after the result was made known: "I'm going to miss it, it's been so nice to be singing again.

"It's nice that the kids are going to know that I don't just stay at home and be a mummy."

Washbourn said: "I don't think my heart was going to stand any more. I've had an amazing time. I'm happy to go back to my day job for the next couple of weeks."

A spokesman for Toploader said he would now re-join band mates Dan Hipgrave, Matt Knight and Rob Green with a series of summer festival performances, tour dates and promoting their new album 'Only Human'.

The TV show revolves around the training of pop stars to be able to sing opera.