Late Show For Louis' Ladies...

Westlife manger Louis Walsh and band member Kian Egan unveiled their much anticipated girlband last weekend after spending much of this year devising the concept and auditioning hopefuls. Louis chose The Late Late Show for the big reveal, the same place he debuted Boyzone and Westlife...

Leigh Learmont, Kasey Smith

Finally, we can bring you the final line-up of Louis Walsh’s & Kian Egan's new big bad girlband ripe and ready to set the world alight in 2009. They are Jodi Albert, Leigh Learmont, Kasey Smith, Sharon Condon & Corrina Duran. Definitely the ones to watch-out for next year.

Kian Egan, Jodi Albert

The yet unnamed hot 5 piece are busy preparing to take-on uber established superstar girl-groups such as Pussycat Dolls & Girls Aloud, and talented up-and-comers like The Saturdays & City Girls. They sure have their work cut-out.

Sharon Condon, Corrina Duran

Jodi, Sharon, Corrina, Kasey and Leigh followed Mr. Walsh's 100 percent success tradition and debuted on The Late Late Show on Friday night with a live performance of their version of 'When the Stars Go Blue' which, is also set to be their first single.

Jodi Albert

The verdict? Well, for such a quick turn-around from auditions to final line-up in about six months, Louis & Kian have worked absolute wonders with their still anonymous band. They looked great and performed like seasoned professionals. And as we predicted, Kian's fiancée Jodi Albert made the final cut – but you didn't need to be a soothsayer to predict that one...

Sharon Condon

These girls CAN sing, and they look great on screen. But if Louis & Kian go ultra conservative and keep-it safe with this band, ala Westlife, we fear they won't get too far when you consider their competition. Good new is - they have a very talented and superbly soulful singer in Sharon Condon. She has one of the most powerful and moving voices we've heard in many a year folks - she could knock Leona Lewis on her well proportioned backside.

Leigh Learmont

Given the right structure this band could be huge. But the order seemed all wrong on their Late Late debut. We got the feeling that Louis & Kian are centering the group around the voices and looks of Corrina and Jodi, only leaving the big belting finishes to Sharon.

Sharon Condon, Corrina Duran

This approach won't work. Corrina has a great voice but it's pretty generic and kinda affected by listening to one too many diva. Jodi on the other hand, couldn't really hold a note last Friday night, but that may have been just nerves. After all, she was fully aware that all eyes were on her given her relationship with the band's co-manager...

Kasey Smith

Both Kasey & Leigh were pushed out to the periphery of the performance so we no real idea yet of just how strong or weak they are... But anyone with half-an-ear could tell you that Sharon Condon's performance was world class, she's a real find and needs to showcased as the group's lead singer. Louis and Kian need to make her the foundation stone of this band, and build their sound around her unique voice.

Leigh Learmont, Kasey Smith

We were very very impressed with Louis & Kian's new band; although we reckon they have taken one-too-many leafs out of Girls Aloud's book... May we even suggest the name 'Doppelganger' at this stage? Ahem. Ahem.

Rhydian Roberts

Also on The Late Late Show last Friday night was whacky Welsh X Factor singer Rhydian Roberts who performed his debut single 'The Impossible Dream' live at the RTE studio...

Rhydian Roberts

Now, we're no experts on make-up 'n' stuff but we're pretty sure that is a Chanel Foundation Stick Rhydian had in his hand as he entered the studio. He's sooo ShowBiz folks it aint even funny.

Michael O'Leary

Ryan Air boss Michael O'Leary was also interviewed by Pat Kenny last Friday night. Seems like Mick has his sights set firmly on Aer Lingus and reckons he can get it now that the Competition Law rule book has been fecked out the window. Don't you just love the fundamentals that govern the Free Market in Western Democratic Society since the recession hit folks? The blind leading the visually impaired. What would Charles Darwin say?