HeadLine: Telly starlet’s pop chart push is safe as houses

The Mirror, 14/12/2002, p7
by SHAUN MILNE & KRISSY STORRAR

FAME Academy’s David Sneddon plans to buy his doting parents a house –
to thank them for backing his bid for pop stardom.
Baby-faced crooner Sneddon, 24, who clinched a mega-bucks record deal
after a night of TV drama yesterday, wants to repay their faith in him.
Revealing his house hope, the young Scot said: “I want to say thanks
for everything they have done to get me here.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get this far.
“But now I have, I know my life has changed forever, and I want to make
sure those who supported me benefit too.”
Paisley lad Sneddon was favourite to win the reality TV talent contest
after reaching the final three with rivals Sinead Quinn and Lemar
Obika.
Now all three – and his fellow Scot Ainslie Henderson – are set to be
snapped up by record companies.
And a star-studded live show will follow, as the 12 original students
go on a UK tour next year, starting in Glasgow in April.
With fame already secured, David’s bid to win the public vote was
backed by Academy headmaster Richard Park.
Fife-born Richard, 54, said: “He started favourite for me – and it is
not just because I am Scottish.
“David has developed his singing massively and he can write songs as
well. The songs have attracted a lot of attention.”
Fame Academy was blasted by critics when it was first screened 10 weeks
ago.
But it has since gone from strength to strength, with the official
album climbing the charts.
Richard, who started his career at Radio Clyde in Glasgow, said: “I
would imagine the powers-that-be will discuss a second show for next
year.”
Even students voted off this year are expected to hit the big time.
Richard reckons “five or six” – including Ainslie – could end up vying
for chart success.
Ainslie was voted out last week, leaving David to battle it out with
Irish redhead Sinead and Londoner Lemar.
Whoever wins, Richard is certain his kids from Fame Academy will outdo
any short-term glory enjoyed by ITV’s Pop Stars: The Rivals.
He said: “A career of five to 10 years would be a triumph in 2002.
“But in 10 years time I think the winner of this competition will still
be out there.”

**

Categories: Daily Mirror articles