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It was partly reality television, because the daily lives of the contestants could be watched through live streaming via Freeview. This was accomplished through the instalments of 'spycameras'.
Coverage of the show was widely shown on BBC One, BBC Three, BBC Prime and the CBBC Channel.
Although it was viewed by critics as a similar and alternative format to the Pop Idol series, it was presented as a relatively new concept. It also featured live music performances. But the contestants here are called 'students' and are required to spend a period of ten weeks inside the historic Witanhurst House located in Highgate, North London as part of their musical education offered by Fame Academy. This included fitness/dancing classes, individual vocal coaching and personal development periods.
Unlike Pop Idol, Fame Academy emphasised the creative/artistic talent of the students, such as writing their own songs and compositions. This was done through masterclasses with accomplished songwriters and musicians. Some of the self-penned material by the students was showcased through the live performance shows.
The show produced three series.
The winner of the first series was David Sneddon and the second run was won by Alex Parks.
Series One of Fame Academy hit screens in 2002. The live shows were presented by Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty .
Eleven lucky contestants were showcased to the nation in the first live episode, while the first viewer vote of the series was announced in a surprise twist - three other potential finalists would be showcased to the nation - and the public could vote for who they wanted to enter the Academy, making up the final line-up of twelve contestants.
The public voted for Sinead Quinn to enter the Academy, joining Ashley HouseAshley House (previously named 'The Crosskeys') is a 17th-Century cottage located in the parish of Paget in Bermuda. The original structure is believed to date from circa 1650. The Bermuda Government has classified Ashley House as a Grade One listed prope, Naomi Roper , Chris Manning , Camilla Beeput , Pippa Fulton , Marli BuckMarli, Short for Marilena, Buck was born in Lytham St Annes, Lankashire, in the mid Nineteen 70's. She was a musical talent, but pursued a career in nursing and moved to London. She found a job at The Florence Nightingale Hospital for eating Disorders and, Nigel Wilson , Katie Lewis , Malachi Cush , Ainslie Henderson and Lemar Obika.
The contestants' time in the Academy included singing lessons with Carrie Grant , exhausting dance and exercise classes with Kevin Adams , and song-writing lessons with Pam Sheyne who wrote Christina AguileraChristina Maria Aguilera (born December 18, 1980) is an American pop singer and ex- Mouseketeer who rose to fame in 1999 with her debut hit song "Genie in a Bottle". As of 2004, she has achieved four number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, two US top's hit single Genie in a Bottle. Headteacher Richard Park was also never far away, and managed to keep order for most of the series.
The first drama of the series came within the first few days when problems with Naomi's voice meant that she would have to be expelled from the Academy. She was replaced with David SneddonDavid Sneddon (born Glasgow, September 15 1978) is a British singer who sprang to fame when he won the first UK series of Fame Academy in 2002. His first single "Stop living the lie" was number one for two weeks in January 2003. Sneddon, David., who came second in the viewer vote in the first episode of the series, which was won by Sinead.
Each week, the teachers put three contestants on probation. They would have to sing for survival live on FridayFriday is the day of the week between Thursday and Saturday. Its name is derived from the goddess Frige of Germanic mythology. In most areas with a five-day working week, Friday is the last workday before the weekend and is therefore viewed as a cause for night on BBC One, in order to fight for their place in the Academy. The public would then vote for who they wanted to save - the person with the most votes would be safe. However, the fate of the two other contestants on probation was decided by their fellow contestants, who had to vote for who they wanted to save.
As well as the live shows, highlight shows aired at 7pm on TuesdayTuesday is the day of the week between Monday and Wednesday. The English name derives from the Germanic god Tyr. Shrove Tuesday (also called Mardi Gras fat Tuesday precedes the first day of Lent in the Western Christian calendar. Tuesday is the usual day and ThursdayThursday is the day of the week between Wednesday and Friday. Its name is derived from the name of the Norse/ Germanic god Thor. By some conventions (see ISO 8601), the Thursdays of a year determine the week numbering: week 1 is defined as the week that c nights on BBC One. A late night uncut show was later added to the schedules. Extra coverage was available on BBC Choice.
As well as the dramas of singing for survival, there were dramas among the contestants too. David and Ainslie were rivals for most of the series. Camilla and Lemar got closer and closer, until on the night when all of the contestants returned to the house, they kissed in one of the bedrooms. Sinead and Malachi were also very close, but a relationship failed to materialise once they left the Academy.
The final three contestants were Lemar, Sinead and David. Lemar came in 3rd place. Sinead came second, while David won the series. Malachi, Ainslie, Lemar, Sinead and David all went onto release singles - David's as a result for the £1 million record contract that he secured when he won the show, while the others secured deals by themselves. However, the contestant with the best career so far has been Lemar.
Ratings were average, but not spectacular. Most of this was blamed on the format being too similar to Pop Idol, while fans of the reality tv element were disappointed by the awkward timings of the highlight shows. Despite this, a second series was commissioned.