Ross Council's Got X-Pop Talent - The Final!

2nd JUNE 2024

The weekend saw the exciting series finale climax of Ross Council’s Got X-Pop Talent.

As the town eagerly tuned in to see who’d won (they actually couldn’t vote, just as they can’t vote for Mayor), it was cheeky chappy Derek Morgan of Walford that stood in for Ant and Dec on the presenting duties. The ITV pair were in busy in London doing similar for the crescendo of Britain’s Got Talent.

So we were down to the final two… nerves were tingling...

Would it be Cllr Ed O’Driscoll’s rendition of "Cry Me a River" that would see him win? Sharon had loved it - “faaaabulous darling” she raptured, fully animated and up out of her chair as she turned to the audience to conduct the applause.

The performance did divide opinion though. In stark contrast to Sharon, Louis was seen wincing looking through his fingers and guest judge Rita Ora said she loved the start but that the end reminded her of the Trio advert from the 1980s.

Or could the victor perhaps be Cllr John Winder singing once again as his alter-ego Johnny Ragwort, with his novelty cover of George Michael’s classic "Faith". He’d humorously retitled the song “I Wanna Grow Veg”, hoping that it would take him across the finishing line to the £0 prize. Simon certainly loves a quirky act and he had picked his man for the win weeks ago and was sticking with it, but Sharon had questioned if the councillor was taking the competition seriously.

Well, we didn’t have long to wait, and it was Cllr O’Driscoll that took the win, extinguishing the hopes of Cllr Winder who perhaps now regretted his choice of comedy horticultural ditty. Sharon could hardly contain her joy as the golden shower of foil strips rained down on the winner.
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It’s hoped 2025 will see a more diverse array of acts, with a lot more than singing on offer. It’s already rumoured that Cllr Katie Fowler is working on a 'speed painting act', plus it’s hoped that Cllr Dan Ciolte will be back after a wrist injury saw him out in the semi-finals during his dance act, set to “When I’m Cleaning Windows”.
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...on a serious note, there's clearly some great artistic talent in the Council - you can often catch Cllr Ed O'Driscoll singing locally in the covers band The Forfeits, and Cllr John Winder performing as one half of local duo Chocolate Teapot. Please support local music by getting out and watching live! In August Y-Fest (formerly Olliefest) returns with another huge line-up.