Joe McElderry, Cheryl Baker through to 'Operastar' final

Joe McElderry and Cheryl Baker will go head-to-head in next week's Popstar to Operastar live final.



The X Factor winner and Bucks Fizz star were both saved by the British public in tonight's semi-final, after performing a duet together of Andrea Bocelli's 'Canto Della Terra'.

Former Steps singer Claire Richards and Toploader frontman Joseph Washbourn were both voted out of the competition after failing to impress viewers with their own duet of Francesco Sartori and Lucio Quarantotto's classic 'Con te partirò/'Time To Say Goodbye'.

"I am going to miss it, I've had a lovely time," Richards told host Myleene Klass, following the announcement. "It's so nice to be singing again. I am [going to keep it up], I love it!"

"I don't think my heart was going to stand anymore," Washbourn joked, when Klass asked how he was feeling about the decision. "I've had an amazing time. Thanks to all the mentors, all the coaches."

"I'm happy to go back to my day job," he added. "For the next few weeks at least."

Next weekend, Joe McElderry and Cheryl Baker will each perform solo, as well as with their mentors, in an effort to win the second series of Popstar to Operastar.

The Popstar to Operastar final will air next Sunday at 8pm on ITV1.