Ray needs to get a life! (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Ray needs to get a life!

8:00am Thursday 18th October 2007 in Leisure By Emma Clayton, Leisure and Lifestyle Editor

Ray Quinn, St George's Hall

I still remember Ray Quinn as a chubby-cheeked ten-year-old in Brookside, so I can't take him seriously as a smooth Rat Packer. "It's vodka," he grinned, swigging from a glass on stage. "No, not really - sorry mum!" I doubt if Sinatra or Deano ever said "Sorry mum" as they partied into the small hours in Vegas.

Quinn launched himself as a swing singer on last year's X-Factor and, with his sharp suits, slick quiff and neat dance moves, he looks the part. But while there's no doubt that he can hold a tune, he just doesn't cut it as a seasoned crooner. Songs like My Way and Mack the Knife need life experience behind them, they need the world-weary charm that Sinatra delivered in bucket-loads. Ray Quinn is a baby-faced teenager with a voice that sounds like it's barely broken.

He's a likeable entertainer though and proved to be an accomplished dancer, partnering the Vegas-style dancing girls. His Mr Bojangles tap routine was great.

The packed audience - mostly mums, grans and little girls - adored him, dutifully swaying along to his closing number, You'll Never Walk Alone.

Give him a few years and he'll grow into his songs. By then he won't need Mum's permission to knock back the hard stuff.