LEMAR: GROUNDED IN REALITY
REALITY TV has a lot to answer for.
Rik Waller, Gareth Gates, thousands of wannabes thinking they deserve a record deal just because they warble Mariah Carey songs while they're in the shower.
Few with any real talent ever emerge with a long-term career and some decent songs from the dire cover versions and over-exposure a TV series demands.
Lemar Obika is one of the few to have the sort of continued success that makes you forget we first saw him on BBC's Fame Academy, the show with the worst track record of all for producing stars.
Of course, he lost the televised competition but has since proved himself to be the real winner, producing endless Top 10 hits.
Lemar is, in fact, currently one of the UK's most successful soul singers, hot on Craig David's heels but without the latter's heavy dose of cheese.
His voice is stunning and, thankfully, he's more likely to deliver a jaunty pop chorus than just another bland R 'n' B number.
He did, however, praise Sam Cook and cover Luther Vandross's So Amazing at this show, just in case anyone doubted where his roots lay.
In a smart grey suit and tie, Lemar's endearing likeability on stage saw this crowd in the palm of his hand in moments, some even screaming sharply when he slipped his jacket off later.
Backed by a string quartet and a stripped-back band, his voice took centre stage for a lively 50/50, a heartfelt If There's Any Justice and the tender Caroline, on which the singer also played keyboards.
Though he's hardly Luther's rightful successor yet, Lemar left this crowd in no doubt he is still a long way from being just another reality show reject.
Sundaymirror
