I'm nervous. Oh, gosh.
So I'm a full-time mum, three kids - seven, five and 11 months.
It's hard work! But it's worth it.
Oh, God.
I didn't actually sign up for this show, my husband did it for me.
I was really, really pleased, actually,
cos I've always gone to do stuff and gone,
"Oh, no, I'm not submitting it, I'm just cancelling it."
He's the best, really. I don't tell him that often enough
cos I need to keep him on his toes.
I sing in, nowhere big and fancy, just a few pubs near my house
and that. And I get a good wage and a few drinks, so it's good.
I'm expecting big, bold, brash.
Oh.
Nicola, we're ready for you on stage. Follow me.
I just want to see if I can get people to stand up
and actually like my singing.
Yeah.
SHE EXHALES
SHE BREATHES HEAVILY
Here comes the next act. It's 49 to beat to get into the top three.
That is incredible hair!
Well...
Oh, God, please don't say anything. I know what you're like!
Hello. My name's Nicola, I'm from Manchester.
I'm really nervous!
But, yeah, let's just have some fun. Yeah, let's just do this. Yay!
Good attitude!
Come on. She can do this.
QUIETLY: Come on, come on, come on.
Come on, get it together.
# Angels watching over me with smiles upon their face
# See, I have made it through this far, in an unforgiving place... #
What a unique voice.
# It feels sometimes this hill's too steep for a girl like me to climb
# So I must knock those thoughts right down
# And I'll do it in my own time... # Dale is looking worried.
# I don't care... #
Oh, I like that. Sass. HE CLICKS TONGUE
# On a road that leads me straight to who knows where
# I'll tell you what I'll tell you what... #
Woo!
# What I have found What I have found
# That I'm no fool That I'm no fool
# I'm just upside down Just upside down
# Ain't got no cares Ain't got no cares
# Ain't got no rules Ain't got no rules
# But I think I like But I think I like
# Living upside down Living upside down
# Whoa, whoa, whoa
# You got to slow it down Yeah, yeah, yeah
# And then you pick it up Whoa, whoa, whoa
# Come on and try a little topsy turvy
# Back to front, the wrong way round
# I'll tell you what I'll tell you what
# What I have found What I have found
# That I'm no fool That I'm no fool
I'm just upside down... #
They're all looking worried. Ben's looking worried!
# Ain't got no cares Ain't got no cares
# I ain't got no rules I ain't got no rules
# But I think I like... #
Can she take the top spot?
# Living upside down Living upside down. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Well done! Woo!
Woo!
Yeah!
Well done, Nicola. You got 84! Well done! Yay!
It puts you in the second spot. How are you feeling?
I'm really overwhelmed.
AUDIENCE: Aww! So, thank you.
And I tell you who loved it - Mr Fabulous.
Nicola, you are a vision, darling. Let me tell you that.
Your vocals were amazing.
I've worked with Paloma Faith when I directed a 20-piece gospel choir,
and you, my dear, have got vocal identity.
When you hear a vocals on the radio you know exactly
who that person is.
I know when I'm going to hear your voice, that's Nicola. OK?
And do you know what?
I'm going to get some tips from you from who your hairdresser is
because I'm going yellow next!
It's me! Oh! I'm coming to see you, babe!
I'm coming to see you!
You also managed to get Geri up!
CHEERING
Nicola, you sang beautifully. Very quirky and very unique.
Where do you normally perform?
In pubs, and everyone is really drunk and not listening,
so it don't matter. Aw!
I'm just so happy for you because coming up here in front of us lot,
this is like throwing you in at the deep end
in challenging your confidence.
So, well done. Thank you, thank you. Thanks, Geri.
I'll shuffle back down. Well, 84 people loved it.
A few didn't, especially Paulus.
Now, Paulus, what's happening here?
OK, I am the first person to applaud people who are original.
So, first of all, awesome on that score. Oh, thank you.
But if you start distorting vowels
so much that I can barely understand what the word is,
then we have to have a little look at that, my darling.
Oh, God!
I am from Manchester, so what do you expect, you know what I mean?
CHEERING You know what I mean, Paulus?
Hide! Hide, Paulus!
We don't talk proper round here, mate.
I shouldn't try and take this on, but I'm going to.
OK, but you don't sound like you're from Manchester when you're singing.
That's my point. I'll definitely take that on board.
Thank you.
Right, Nicola, you scored a massive 84, which puts you in second spot.
Well done.
Unfortunately, that means, Dale, you're going to be leaving us.
I've had the best time.
Like, you guys, thank you the people that stood up.
It's been good. Thank you. Give it up for Dale, everyone!
I like this bit, when they hug each other. Aww.
Nicola, please take your space in the second spot.
Woo!
You liked that. I did like that.
Even you said she was good.
Oh, she was. You could only really pick up on her phrasing.
Vowel distortion. Yes. Yeah. Weird.
HE DRAWS OUT WORDS
It's like Dory from Finding Nemo. Ooh!
He's Baby Spice. Oh, God.
The cheeks. Yeah. Aw!
Sandy, come here.
What are you guys doing? Excuse me!
My little gerbil cheeks. Brilliant.
Brilliant.
What's up with your sister?
She's...
She's passed out. But while she's quiet, we'll just leave her.
Well, up next, with a score of 72 to beat, please welcome back Nicola.
Come on, Nicola, it's all down to you.
She's nervous, isn't she? Yeah. I mean, you would be.
It's getting through to the final, isn't it? Yeah.
# Feeling my way through the darkness
# Guided by a beating heart... #
She could do this.
# I can't tell where the journey will end
# But I know where to start
# They tell me I'm too young to understand
# They say I'm caught up in a dream... #
Nice.
# Well, life will pass me by if I don't open up my eyes
# But it's fine by me
# So wake me up when it's all over
# When I'm wiser and I'm older
# All this time I was finding myself
# And I didn't know I was lost
# So wake me up when it's all over
# When I'm wiser and I'm older
# All this time I was finding myself
# And I didn't know I was lost
# I didn't know I was lost
# Oh, didn't know I was lost! #
CHEERING
Ye-e-e-s! Yes!
CHEERING DROWNS SPEECH
94, Nicola.
That was amazing, how are you feeling? I'm all right, thank you.
That was incredible. Thank you. Well done, Nicola.