It Takes Two

Grant Denyer, the 31 year old host of It Takes Two, Australia’s Got Talent is expected to take months to recover from a spinal injury he suffered during a monster truck accident.

Denyer has full movement in his arms and legs and is in good spirits but it will take a couple of days for test results to show whether the former Sunrise weather man will need surgery.

Initial results had shown that there was no nerve damage but Denyer will still be unable to drive for the remainder of the year and will miss the Bathurst 1000 next month.

In a special LIVE performance, Paul Potts will sing his signature classic Nessun Dorma, exclusively for It Takes Two on Tuesday April 15 at 7.30pm on Seven.

Paul will be accompanied by a 34 piece orchestra comprising It Takes Two’s strings and woodwind section augmented with brass, horn, tympani and harp musicians.

The unlikely winner of Britain’s Got Talent, Paul Potts stunned the judging panel, including show creator and tough critic Simon Cowell, when he opened his mouth and started to sing.

The ex-mobile phone salesman strolled apologetically on to the stage to audition for the show, dressed in a bargain suit and looking nothing like a classical singer, announcing he was going to sing opera. The result was magical, his rendition of Nessun Dorma bought the audience to tears and his life changed instantly.

Since his high profile win, Paul has released a debut album One Chance and will make his only Australian performance live on It Takes Two on Tuesday night at 7.30pm.

For next week’s It Takes Two semi-final, the three remaining couples will prepare a song from a genre they have not performed before as well as attempting their professional singing partner’s hit in an attempt to make it through to the grand final.

Tuesday April 22
7:30pm

SERIES 3 GRAND FINAL

After weeks of hard work and some amazing performances, it’s down to the last two celebrities and their mentors. Who will be crowned IT TAKES TWO’s Series 3 champion?

The two finalists will be judged on three songs and there will be a special guest performer.

Plus all this season’s competing duos return for one final performance:

• Candice Falzon, Ironwoman (departed Apr 1) partnered with Anthony Callea
• Chloe Maxwell, Presenter/ mum (departed Mar 11) partnered with David Campbell
• John Mangos, Sky News anchor (departed Feb 19) partnered with Wendy Matthews
• Julia Morris, Comedian/actor/presenter/writer partnered with David Hobson
• Mark Wilson, Dancing with the Stars judge (departed Feb 26) partnered with Rachael Beck
• Paul O’Brien, Home and Away actor partnered with Jade Macrae
• Russell Robertson, Melbourne AFL football player partnered with Kate Ceberano
• Sara Groen, Television presenter/Ch 7 weather presenter partnered with Adam Harvey
• Scott Draper, Professional golfer/tennis player (departed Mar 4) partnered with Ricki-Lee
• Virginia Gay, All Saints actor partnered with Ian Moss

IT TAKES TWO is hosted by GRANT DENYER and ERIKA HEYNATZ, with MARINA PRIOR, JAMES VALENTINE, AMANDA PELMAN and ROSS WILSON forming the judging panel.

Tuesday April 15
7:30pm

Australia’s hit singing show IT TAKES TWO, hosted by GRANT DENYER and ERIKA HEYNATZ, continues tonight:

This season’s ten competing celebrities are:

• Candice Falzon, Ironwoman
• Chloe Maxwell, Presenter/ mum (departed Mar 11)
• John Mangos, Sky News anchor (departed Feb 19)
• Julia Morris, Comedian/actor/presenter/writer
• Mark Wilson, Dancing with the Stars judge (departed Feb 26)
• Paul O’Brien, Home and Away actor
• Russell Robertson, Melbourne AFL football player
• Sara Groen, Television presenter/Ch 7 weather presenter
• Scott Draper, Professional golfer/tennis player (departed Mar 4)
• Virginia Gay, All Saints actor

These celebrities are paired with some of Australia’s best-loved and renowned singers to support and mentor them on their journey.

• Adam Harvey, Country singer
• Anthony Callea, Australia’s record breaking pop star
• David Campbell, Swing sensation (departed Mar 11)
• David Hobson, Opera singer
• Ian Moss, Australian rock icon
• Jade MacRae, Pop princess
• Kate Ceberano, Multi award winning singer
• Rachael Beck, Star of stage and screen (departed Feb 26)
• Ricki-Lee Coulter, Pop superstar (departed Mar 4)
• Wendy Matthews, Australian singing legend (departed Feb 19)

IT TAKES TWO’s panel of industry experts – Marina Prior, James Valentine, Amanda Pelman and Ross Wilson – return for a third series. Each week the couples are judged by a combination of viewer votes and our panel of judges to see who will be crowned series champions.

In a special performance, Ian Moss, Jon Stevens and Jack Jones will perform LIVE for It Takes Two on Tuesday April 1 at 7.30pm on Seven.

Ahead of their national “Lets Get Together” tour, Aussie icons Ian Moss and Jon Stevens, joined by special guest Jack Jones, will perform the single “Come Together” on Tuesday night’s show.

They impressed audiences with their “Six Strings and The Works” tour in 2006, now Ian Moss and Jon Stevens reunite for a national tour from April.

Australian rock legend Ian Moss, a new addition to It Takes Two’s professional singers, has just released a new album and recently completed a national sell out tour.

Jon Stevens has been playing to packed houses with his solo shows and the recently reformed Noiseworks. The two powerful vocalists are joined by Jack Jones, a revered guitarist and lead singer from Southern Sons, for a special performance on tomorrow night’s It Takes Two.

Also on the show, Australia’s leading lady of musical theatre and It Takes Two judge, Marina Prior, will perform “A Bushel and A Peck” with some of the cast of Guys and Dolls prior to the show’s Melbourne season.

The competition is heating up as the five remaining contestants – Candice Falzon, Julia Morris, Paul O’Brien, Russell Robertson and Virginia Gay, perform a song from a genre they have not performed before as they vie for a spot in the Grand Final.

It Takes Two is a BBC format, and is a co-production between BBC Worldwide and Seven.

Tuesday April 8
7:30pm

Australia’s hit singing show IT TAKES TWO, hosted by GRANT DENYER and ERIKA HEYNATZ, continues tonight:

This season’s ten competing celebrities are:

• Candice Falzon, Ironwoman
• Chloe Maxwell, Presenter/ mum (departed Mar 11)
• John Mangos, Sky News anchor (departed Feb 19)
• Julia Morris, Comedian/actor/presenter/writer
• Mark Wilson, Dancing with the Stars judge (departed Feb 26)
• Paul O’Brien, Home and Away actor
• Russell Robertson, Melbourne AFL football player
• Sara Groen, Television presenter/Ch 7 weather presenter
• Scott Draper, Professional golfer/tennis player (departed Mar 4)
• Virginia Gay, All Saints actor

These celebrities are paired with some of Australia’s best-loved and renowned singers to support and mentor them on their journey.

• Adam Harvey, Country singer
• Anthony Callea, Australia’s record breaking pop star
• David Campbell, Swing sensation (departed Mar 11)
• David Hobson, Opera singer
• Ian Moss, Australian rock icon
• Jade MacRae, Pop princess
• Kate Ceberano, Multi award winning singer
• Rachael Beck, Star of stage and screen (departed Feb 26)
• Ricki-Lee Coulter, Pop superstar (departed Mar 4)
• Wendy Matthews, Australian singing legend (departed Feb 19)

IT TAKES TWO’s panel of industry experts – Marina Prior, James Valentine, Amanda Pelman and Ross Wilson – return for a third series. Each week the couples are judged by a combination of viewer votes and our panel of judges to see who will be crowned series champions.

Tuesday April 1
7:30pm

Join GRANT DENYER and ERIKA HEYNATZ on IT TAKES TWO tonight as the five remaining celebrities test their confidence, vocal chords and battle their nerves as they sing a song from a genre they have not performed before.

This season’s ten new celebrities who are stepping outside their comfort zones as they perform with a 19 piece band in front of a live audience are:

• Paul O’Brien, Home and Away actor
• Chloe Maxwell, Presenter/ mum (departed Mar 11)
• Scott Draper, Professional golfer/ tennis player (departed Mar 4)
• Virginia Gay, All Saints actor
• Julia Morris, Comedian/actor/presenter/writer
• John Mangos, Sky News anchor (departed Feb 19)
• Sara Groen, Television presenter/Ch 7 weather presenter
• Mark Wilson, Dancing with the Stars judge (departed Feb 26)
• Candice Falzon, Ironwoman
• Russell Robertson, Melbourne AFL football player

These celebrities are paired with some of Australia’s best-loved and renowned singers to support and mentor them on their journey.

• Rachael Beck, Star of stage and screen (departed Feb 26)
• David Hobson, Opera singer
• Jade MacRae, Pop princess
• Wendy Matthews, Australian singing legend (departed Feb 19)
• Kate Ceberano, Multi award winning singer
• Anthony Callea, Australia’s record breaking pop star
• David Campbell, Swing sensation (departed Mar 11)
• Ian Moss, Australian rock icon
• Ricki-Lee Coulter, Pop superstar (departed Mar 4)
• Adam Harvey, Country singer

IT TAKES TWO’s panel of industry experts – Marina Prior, James Valentine, Amanda Pelman and Ross Wilson – return for a third series. Each week the couples are judged by a combination of viewer votes and our panel of judges to see who will be crowned series champions.

Russell RobertsonThe high flying Melbourne Demon is best and fairest on the football field but will he achieve the same results on stage?

“I am genuinely interested in music so who could turn down the chance to meet some great musicians and people? Having played football in some capacity for over 16 years, It Takes Two allows me to do something different.” Russell said.

It was television that first brought Russell Robertson to the public eye – he was drafted to the Melbourne Football Club from Tasmania’s under 18s after recruiters saw him featured in a home video on the Footy Show’s ‘Almost Football Legends’.

Making his debut in 1997, Robertson soon became known as one of the game’s best high-flying forwards, taking numerous “Marks of the Week” and twice leading club goal kicking.

The 2003 Best & Fairest winner had a golden year in 2005, playing for Australia in the International Rules series against Ireland. He was named the Leading Goal Kicker that year, an accolade he had previously enjoyed in 2001.

Last year Robertson experienced a setback after a strong start to the season. An awkward landing during the Melbourne vs Hawks game saw him injuring the medial ligament in his knee, missing seven weeks of football.

Recently he signed a two-year contract with the Demons which will see him to the end of 2009.

A sought-after corporate speaker, Robertson is already well-known to viewers of The Footy Show and Before The Game. A talented singer/guitarist, Robertson has played in numerous bands including No Soup For You and the Russell Robertson Trio.

Robertson celebrated his first anniversary with wife Brooke Aust, a former Melbourne Storm cheerleader, last October.

Russell Robertson is supporting THE REACH BROADBRIDGE FUND to honour the life of Troy Broadbridge and the values for which he stood – honesty, integrity, determination, courage and acceptance of difference. The Fund makes a significant, positive difference in the lives of young people both in Australia and Thailand through Reach’s activity based educational programs.

“Troy Broadbridge and I played football together for seven or eight years, I lost one of my great mates when he passed away in terrible circumstances. Trisha is doing a fantastic amazing job raising funds in the memory of a great mate. The fund helps others who are in great need and whose standard of living is very ordinary.” said Russell.

Russell is being mentored by Kate Ceberano.

Kate CeberanoKate Ceberano has been belting out tunes for over 20 years and is one of the country’s best known and loved singers, and can also add Australia’s favourite ‘dancer’ to the list.

Renowned for her soulful and powerful vocal style, Kate has won nearly every entertainment award in Australia. She has released five platinum records and four gold albums, selling over 1 million albums in this country alone.

The sultry singer first came to prominence during her mid-teens as the lead singer for funk band I’m Talking. After one album, the group broke up leaving Kate free to purse a solo career.

And what a career it’s been. Her second solo album You’ve Always Got The Blues earned her an ARIA Award for Best Female Artist but it was the triple platinum selling Brave in 1989 that really set the charts on fire. It was the first album by an Australian female to reach the national No.1 spot and it produced four hit singles including Bedroom Eyes.

At the end of 1990, she received three prestigious MO Awards for Jazz Performer, Female Rock Performer and Contemporary Concert Performer of the Year.

In 1992, Kate performed the role of Mary in Jesus Christ Superstar to rave reviews. She followed this with her own late-night cabaret-style show on ABC TV called Kate Ceberano And Friends (1993-1994). Since then, she has released the critically acclaimed album Blue Box and her self-penned smash Pash. Next came The Girl Can Help It followed by the highly successful 19 Days in New York.

2007 was a busy year for Kate, having taken out the title of Dancing with the Stars Series Six champion, partnering former Olympic swimmer Daniel Kowalski for It Takes Two series two, and releasing and touring the 80’s inspired Nine Lime Avenue which describes a collection of songs connected to different memories from that time. The album achieved Platinum sales in Australia, and was followed by a sell-out National theatre tour.

The Melbourne-born songstress is married to music video director Lee Rogers, who has directed several of her music videos. They have a daughter Gypsy, who was born in January 2004.

Kate returns to It Takes Two to belt out tunes when she pairs up with a new celebrity hoping to win over the judges and audience once again.

Kate Ceberano’s Official Website
Kate Ceberano’s Myspace
Kate Ceberano Kate Ceberano on iTunes

After Ricki-Lee and Scott were eliminated last week, our remaining couples will be performing power ballads and dance anthems of the eighties.

Grant Denyer and Erika Heynatz tell us that Ross Wilson isn’t able to join us tonight but in his place is Dannii Minogue who has had experience on Australia’s Got Talent” and the UK’s The X Factor. Of course Marina Prior, James Valentine and Amanda Pelman are back to judge as well.

Here are tonight’s performances:

Russell & Kate
Bryan Adams - The Best of Me - Summer Of '69 Summer of ’69
scores
Marina Prior: 9
James Valentine: 9
Amanda Belman: 9
Dannii Minogue: 9
Total: 36
Voting Information can be found here.

Sara & Adam
Cyndi Lauper - The Essential Cyndi Lauper - True Colors True Colors
scores
Marina Prior: 7
James Valentine: 6
Amanda Belman: 7
Dannii Minogue: 7
Total: 27
Voting Information can be found here.

Candice & Anthony
Roxette - A Collection of Roxette Hits! - Their 20 Greatest Songs! - The Look She’s Got The Look
scores
Marina Prior: 8
James Valentine: 8
Amanda Belman: 8
Dannii Minogue: 9
Total: 33
Voting Information can be found here.

Paul & Jade
Robert Palmer - Robert Palmer: The Essential Selection - Simply Irresistible Simply Irresistable
scores
Marina Prior: 6
James Valentine: 5
Amanda Belman: 6
Dannii Minogue: 6
Total: 23
Voting Information can be found here.

Julia & David
Tina Turner - Tina Turner: All the Best - We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome) We Don’t Need Another Hero
scores
Marina Prior: 9
James Valentine: 9
Amanda Belman: 10
Dannii Minogue: 10
Total: 38
Voting Information can be found here.

Chloe & David
Madonna - The Immaculate Collection - Crazy for You Crazy For You
scores
Marina Prior: 7
James Valentine: 7
Amanda Belman: 7
Dannii Minogue: 7
Total: 28
Voting Information can be found here.

Virginia & Ian
Billy Ocean - Billy Ocean: Greatest Hits - When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going
scores
Marina Prior: 8
James Valentine: 8
Amanda Belman: 8
Dannii Minogue: 8
Total: 32
Voting Information can be found here.

It’s time for the results. The judges votes have been combined with the public vote and in the bottom two this week are:

Chloe & David and
Sara & Adam

Going home this week is
Chloe & David

What are the voting numbers for It Takes Two?

Here are the voting numbers

Russell Robertson Russell Robertson & Kate Ceberano
SMS Russell to 19 19 77
Phone 1902 55 77 10
Candice Falzon Candice Falzon & Anthony Callea
SMS Candice to 19 19 77
Phone 1902 55 77 11
Julia Morris Julia Morris & David Hobson
SMS Julia to 19 19 77
Phone 1902 55 77 13
Sara Groen Sara Groen & Adam Harvey
SMS Sara to 19 19 77
Phone 1902 55 77 15
Paul O'Brien Paul O’Brien & Jade Macrae
SMS Paul to 19 19 77
Phone 1902 55 77 16
Virginia Gay Virginia Gay & Ian Moss
SMS Virginia to 19 19 77
Phone 1902 55 77 17

Votes cost 55c max. Calls from mobiles to the 1902 number will cost more.

Voting closes at 7:30pm AEDT 18/03/08.

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