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Midge Ure has become the first celebrity to leave Popstar to Operastar. The Ultravox frontman and Live Aid mastermind exited the competition after being voted into a sing-off with Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton by viewers. After performing 'Questa O Quella' from Verdi's Rigoletto again for the competition's judges, Ure initially appeared to have kept his spot on the ITV show, as panelists Rolando Villazon and Vanessa-Mae gave him their backing. In their comments, Villazon branded Ure as the "performer that felt more comfortable", while Vanessa Mae stated that the 57-year-old "took a risk and really had fun and made me believe". However, their co-judge Simon Callow sided with Thornton after declaring that she "embraced the extra possibilities" of her performance of 'Habanera' from Carmen, leaving (more)...

Melody Thornton previously admitted that she is hoping to win this year’s series of Popstar To Operastar based on her electric personality, rather than her vocal skills.

Tonight, as we watched her rehearsal video, we thought she might need to show a bit more spark because her performance didn’t seem to be going well at all.

However, when she took to the stage and sang a piece from Carmen, Melody actually wasn’t half bad. It started well, got a little tired at the end and wasn’t half as good as Joe McElderry’s earlier effort.…but all in all we didn’t think it was too bad.

Katherine Jenkins: I thought you gave a great performance. I didn’t feel that the vocal was as sexy as the performance but I think you did really well and it’s a really good start.

Rolando Villazón...

Kym Marsh thinks Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen fancies her. The 'Coronation Street' actress is currently appearing in 'Popstar to Operastar' and believes one of the reasons judge Laurence criticises her is because it's his way of flirting. She said: ''Have you noticed just how rude judge Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen is to me? I think he's flirting!'' Kym also admitted she may have to miss some rehearsal time for the show because it could clash with her filming schedule for 'Coronation Street'. She told New magazine: ''I really struggled to learn the French love song The Habanera from Carmen last week. ''I know Rolando Villazon was angry when ..

For Darius Campbell appearing on Popstar to Operastar feels like coming home. “It really appealed because my parents are huge opera fans. I fell in love with opera at a very young age because my dad always played it in the car.”

As a youngster Darius dabbled in the world of opera when he appeared in the Scottish Opera production of The Trojans – albeit a non-singing role. He adds, “that was my first professional musical experience.”

He decided to explore the world of opera further and “busked it” at an audition for Bizet’s Carmen. Without any classical training he managed to secure a part in the boys’ chorus.

He says: “That was it. I was caught hook, line and sinker by the idea of treading the boards.“

Darius, 29, recalls that after that his parents told him to choose between seriously pursuing an opera career or returning home to continue his education.