JoJ

I don't understand. I said you had the right to speak your mind and I've no idea why you are apologising. I disagreed with some of what you said, but I wasn't offended that you said it. I hope you respect my right to have a different opinion, and if you post to say I'm wrong about something, I'm allowed to explain why I think I was right to say it. If you want to stick up for Kavana it might be better for you to list his good qualities, and what he can bring to the band, rather than wasting time telling people off for stating the obvious. Kavana himself has admitted he was in the wrong, and that it did him good to see how bad he was.

Speak your mind all you like. So long as you are polite and back up your opinions with reasons, it's a good discussion. I never said Kavana is a liability, I said he was a liability on the show the other night. His behaviour put the whole project at risk for the other boys, not just himself. We all know he got it together the following night, but by his own admission this is something he does, and common sense dictates it's something he needs to stop. I am pleased to see that he appears to recognise this, having seen his behaviour for himself.

I like Kavana, and he has a lot of good qualities, but there is no point in trying to defend the behaviour we saw last night, because there is no question that he was out of order. Going by twitter, he knew he was in the wrong, and the last thing he needs are people making excuses for him. I hope he sorts himself out, but he won't unless he ditches the excuses and takes responsibility for himself. I do agree it's no fun for people to wade in to criticise everything about Gareth's new band-mates as if he's in competition with them, but it's impossible to watch last night's show and not think Kavana was a liability. Remember, since the show was filmed, they did the concert and done tv and other things together, so they are trying to make things work.

I hope no-one minds me commenting. I'm a new member, but not a new fan. In fact, I was on the boards before, but lost my details. IMO, some fans are under-estimating the value to Gareth of being in the group and on the show. He doesn't need it and can sing solo beautifully, and is still doing gigs, but most of the publicity he gets for those gigs is because people remember him fondly from years ago. Dancing on Ice helps a bit, but it's not part of the music industry. I wouldn't want Gareth to take up 5th Story full time, but all of the work with them should feed into his own longer-term career. It reconnects him with some of his own fans from back in the day, and lets fans of the other pop stars see him in a fresh light. The viewers are all pop fans, and in an age range that is difficult to target. The man managing 5th Story looks like the guy who manages Blue, so brings a lot of good contacts and a bit of focus. Gareth is busy, but I'm baffled if there is any long term plan. Without doubt, and slight bias, Gareth has the best voice by far. At first glance, it's a waste for him to sing backing vocals to lesser singers, but I love any excuse to hear him sing something new. Watching clips from the concert I was so proud of how easily he shone and it won't have gone unnoticed. We all know Gareth is brilliant, but to many, he's a talentless, plastic, manufactured pop act who faked a stutter to make up for not being very good. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I wonder if the other members are underestimated by older Gareth fans who are as ignorant of their careers are a lot of people are of Gareth. It's too easy to presume that people not on the telly are doing nothing. None of them were as busy as Gareth, but they bring things to the table, especially when it comes to doing publicity work. Dane is on the cover of this week's heat magazine, and Kenzie is on the cover of Reveal. Kavana's story has created a lot of interest, and thanks to Yorksheather we know Adam was on The Wright Stuff. IMO, Adam is a weak singer, but is very articulate and according to one interview keeps them organised. I hate that the show wanted the Jordan gossip, but that's out of the way and doing 5th Story gives the tabloids something different to talk about. I've noticed that its easier for boyband members to move on from tabloid scandals of individual members. I don't know the long-term future for the band, but I want Gareth to give it a go. I prefer Gareth doing this than another panto.