From The Sun: But yesterday angry viewers told how they felt DUPED after details of Paul’s classical training emerged.
Far from being a shy amateur, Paul has received extensive singing training.
He was a regular with Bath Opera, where roles included the lead in Verdi Don Carlos.
He spent two summers touring northern Italy with a major opera school and took master classes with top stars.
He even got to sing in one hosted by his idol, Luciano Pavarotti.
Paul isn’t even a newcomer to TV talent shows. In 1999 he won £8,000 on Michael Barrymore’s My Kind Of Music.
Link here:
This is misleading. Potts has never been paid for singing except for a previous talent show — therefore he is a true amateur. When you tour with a schol and take master classes, YOU PAY THEM, you don’t get paid. The Bath Opera was a volunteer gig.
Simon Cowell always tells bad singers “come back after you’ve taken some more lessons” — it is OK to take lessons and retain amateur status! And the show does not say winning a previous unrelated talent show makes you ineligible.
? What is the point ? Tabloids out to kick someone down as soon as they rise up ?
He has paid 2000 GBP over his life on singing lessons. He took two courses he paid for where he got to “tour” italy, practicing singing with other amateurs - sort of dream vacations / classes.
Pavarotti was a “host” of one - Paul was paying tuition, I wonder how much the people who organized it paid Pavarotti for dropping by one day.
He has never song professionally. That means he IS an amateur...
I have sung in a musical in community theater. I even had the lead in one musical. I have sung karaoke and hosted karaoke shows. I have practiced some days 6 hours in a row singing because I love it. I have over 300 songs in my current repetoire I can sing off the cuff. People come up to me all the time and ask if I am a professional - do I sing for a living. No, I tell them, I’m just an inspired amateur who spends too much time in bars.
But haven’t had “the break” and don’t expect to, being in my mid-50’s.
I have been around friends in music all my life. Several of them have made their living in music - session musicians, write a few songs, tour locally, occasional opening acts, but none of them have ever “made it” per se.
There are tens of thousands of people with great talent making money or a living in music that never get the break.
He is not even there with them. He sells mobile phones the last 3 years, for gosh sakes. Music is his passion, BUT only could be considered a “hobby” under these circumstances
He has always dreamed of singing opera, and has practiced, and paid for courses, but not “looking” like an opera singer and being just a regular guy with a great voice, never got the break.
The old saying is luck is where preparation meets opportunity.
He is lucky, because when the opportunity arose,, over these last few weeks, by dint of his years of hard work and practice — with NO prospect of success — he was prepared.
He was most definitely prepared!
In fact, He Kicked A$$! Not bad for a little tubby guy!