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Friday, August 15, 2008, 11:59
The competition hotted up as the contestants sang their hearts out at The Cocked Hat, on Ferry Road, Scunthorpe, in an effort to get one step closer to the £500 cash prize and the coveted Pub Idol 2008 trophy.
Each contender performed two songs to showcase their vocal abilities and stage presence in the show compered by the Scunthorpe Telegraph's Caroline Whelpton.
And you can see a video of the heat at www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk
Pub Idol veteran Des Atley (50), from Low Road, Grayingham, sang Sealed with a Kiss and We Love to Boogie.
For Des, this was his second attempt at the big time as he had already made it to the final at the first ever Pub Idol contest at the Red Lion in Broughton, before his chances of a big win were hampered by a motorbike accident.
Speaking during the first half of the contest he said: "I'm going to win tonight – I'm confident."
Next up was romantic crooner and karaoke champ Nigel Vessey (35), from Newbury Court, Scunthorpe, who was also no stranger to the stage.
He said: "For me, it's not the winning that counts, it's the taking part, but if I won that would be great."
Emma Wray (26), from Messingham, then belted out classics Black Velvet and Over the Rainbow.
"I only arrived back from holiday this morning, so I hope my voice is okay," she said before taking to the stage.
And Elvis impersonator Andy Shannon (41), from Wordsworth Road, Scunthorpe, wowed the crowd with his Elvis songs.
The singer, who sports two tattoos of his idol, said he hoped to do Elvis justice.
He said: "Thirty-one years on and Elvis's songs are still being played on the radio, which is phenomenal and why I chose to sing his songs."
And last but not least was Richard Traynor (57), of Hillary Road, Ashby, who said: "I've got 14 grandchildren cheering me on and if I don't win, I'll try again next year."
After much deliberation, the judges chose Emma Wray and Andy Shannon to go through to the final.
Judge Kaleigh Knight said: "It's been great talent this year and there have been some difficult decisions.
"What I look for in a winner is not just a good singer, but someone who really gets into the songs."
The next heat will be on Monday, August 18, at The Jolly Sailor, Gunness, from 9pm.
The final will be held at Reeds Hotel, Barton-Upon-Humber, on Monday, September 8.
