Last Sunday, November 15, saw the highly anticipated Grand Final of the WOW Factor 2009, in the Sala Fortuna at the five-star Torrequebrada Hotel in Benalmadena. Several thousand euros were raised at this competition in support of Cudeca’s Cancer Care Hospice (final figure not known at time of going to print).

Around 200 guests enjoyed the pre-concert meal, and were later joined by a further 200 people to see the final 12 contestants compete for the coveted first prize.

Despite the late finish of the fantastic show, not a single person was seen leaving the room before the night concluded.

The winner was teenager Christian Fa from Gibraltar. The general opinion of this year’s show was that the standard of the performances was higher than last year. All 12 finalists were absolutely brilliant and were all appreciated by the audience, making the task of selecting a winner very difficult. The WOW Factor series of heats and semi-finals were organised by Executive Producer David Jelley and Maurice Boland, who presented the awards with Hannah Murray, a fellow presenter from TRE.fm, and also counted on a long list of prominent individuals whose important roles allowed this talent competition to become the hugely popular event that it did.

Judges

The prestigious judging panel included: British Consul for Andalucia Steve Jones; X Factor star Rowetta Satchell; ITV’s Mr Nasty ‘Dancing on Ice’ judge Jason Gardiner; and Laura Krier, host of ABC Network’s show, ‘Fame Games’.

Before the show started, producer Steve Shappelle introduced Craig, a patient at Cudeca Hospice, who gave a heart-rending speech about the incredible and valuable job the charity does. “They saved my life,” he said.

Shappelle introduced Joan Hunt, OBE, who thanked everyone for their continued support and wished them a fun-filled evening of entertainment.

Cudeca founder Joan Hunt, OBE, told Euro Weekly News: “Craig, who is close to all of us, made a personal effort to be there. It was not easy for him to open up his heart in front of so many people and I am sure that everyone who heard him will have the greatest respect for his courage and determination to speak up for all his friends at Cudeca Hospice.”

EWN support

EWN Media Group Directors Michel and Steven Euesden were then called on stage, where they presented a cheque to Cudeca for 1,000 euros and gave each of the finalists a special plaque in memory of Jade Goody.

Joan Hunt thanked Michel and Steven:

“It was a fabulous occasion and a great surprise for me to see Michel and Steven donate a plaque to the finalists and make such a fantastic donation to the hospice. A high percentage of readers of the Euro Weekly News know from first-hand experience of the special care that the medical personnel of Cudeca Hospice offer to our patients and their families, and, like me, would have been emotionally affected by this generous, warm-hearted support for our work,” she said.
The winner was teenager Christian Fa from Gibraltar. The general opinion of this year’s show was that the standard of the performances was higher than last year. All 12 finalists were absolutely brilliant and were all appreciated by the audience, making the task of selecting a winner very difficult. The WOW Factor series of heats and semi-finals were organised by Executive Producer David Jelley and Maurice Boland, who presented the awards with Hannah Murray, a fellow presenter from TRE.fm, and also counted on a long list of prominent individuals whose important roles allowed this talent competition to become the hugely popular event that it did.

Performances

To rapturous applause from the packed hall, the 12 finalists individually sung their chosen songs in front of a large TV screen which, before each performance, showed a brief video of them talking about what winning this competition would mean to them.

After the initial round, the panel of judges retired to the jury room to pick the best six to go through to the second round.

There were many highlights to the evening, among them had to be Rowetta’s amazing performance. She had the audience on their feet, demanding more. Nine-year-old Tiffany surprised us all when she boldly marched on stage, tugged Maurice’s jacket and demanded to sing. She brought the house down with her version of Leona Lewis’s, ‘A Moment Like This’.

A grateful Joan Hunt

Joan Hunt, told EWN: “Maurice Boland and his committee, who have been working hard throughout the heats for many months, deserve the highest praise for a great night’s entertainment. The finalists all deserved to be there and I feel sad that only one can receive the accolade. As far as I am concerned, except for number one, they all ranked second. The judges did a great job and were very fair in their comments. I am sending my congratulations and fondest wishes to Maurice and everyone who participated in what was one of the highlights of the entertainment year.”

After the show, the mood backstage was jubilant; every one of the contestants seemed genuinely ecstatic that the very popular Christian Fa had won. We asked Maurice how he thought it went: “Just amazed at the talent, success and phenomenon that was the WOW Factor 2009,” he said.

Christian Fa will now record the song chosen by Maurice to represent the winner’s song, a Bill Withers’ classic, ‘Lean on Me’. We asked Christian how it felt to be crowned WOW Factor 2009 Winner. “It hasn’t sunk in yet,” he said. When asked where he works, he humbly replied: “I am still at school.” As hard as choosing a winner this year was for the judges, this young man really does seem destined for fame and fortune. Well done Christian! You deserve it.

WOW Factor Comment:

Lean on us

Michel and Steven Euesden, EWN Media Group Publishers

“This year’s event was simply amazing. We were very proud to call ourselves expats on Sunday. To see so many people working so tirelessly to help raise funds for Cudeca should remind everyone that there are some very good things happening on the Costa del Sol.

“We were deeply touched by the dignity of Craig James, allowing us to share his most private moments whilst having treatment to save his life. This year, the awards and donation given by the EWN on behalf of all our readers and advertisers was in memory of the late Jade Goody. Whilst the hospice is vital, it is also essential that we educate the young women of today to the fact that early detection of cancer will help save lives. We cannot let Jade Goody, a young mother of two, die in vain. It is the intention of the EWN in 2010, along with the generosity of the people on the Costas, to buy two ultrasound scanners.

“Together we will fight this terrible disease which rips apart the lives of its innocent victims and their families. Together we can do it. There are so many people who should be thanked for their efforts; among them are Steve Shappelle, Laura Haggis from Cudeca, David Jelley and Maurice Boland. A big thank-you to Rowetta, the acclaimed Jason Gardiner for flying in direct from New York to support this worthy cause, and, finally, to Consul Steve Jones, whose warm and charming personality has finally put a human face to the British Consulate in Andalucia.

Congratulations to the winner, Christian Fa.

Cheers to everyone – you did us proud!

Michel and Steven Euesden

British Consul for Andalucia, Steve Jones

“It was a real honour to be asked to such an important event for both the community and Cudeca. I thought that the evening was brilliant fun, from the organisation and production, to the public reaction and the standard of the talented singers.

“All the entrants were amazing and a credit to their parents and schools/friends.

“I felt a great deal of responsibility as a judge and once we got down to the final six, the task to find one winner was very difficult.

“All the acts had different qualities, whether an incredible voice or exciting stage presence.

“The judges had a very emotive decision to make backstage particularly between two singers. Both had superb voices and were thoroughly entertaining but we had to find one winner and I think Christian Fa was a great choice.

“Maurice and Hannah did a wonderful job in hosting and I think that everyone involved, or who bought a ticket, should be very proud of their contribution to Cudeca. I, for one, certainly am, and already looking forward to next year.” Steve

Unfortunately, there are the few who have to taint what was a very special charity event. David Jelley explains: “Some people ordered tickets but didn’t show up or pay for them; so as a result Cudeca had to foot the bill because the dinner numbers had to be given to the hotel on Saturday.”

DONATE

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(0034)952 56 49 10 or

log on to their website www.cudeca.org