Chemmane has got it! (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Chemmane has got it!

12:00pm Saturday 10th October 2009

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THEY got the judge’s vote – and now Chemmane Applewhaite and her Kandy Rain bandmates need the public to get behind them as they take part in the live shows of The X Factor.

Last Sunday, millions of viewers saw the 26-year-old, from Brighton Hill, and her band get the nod from mentor judge Louis Walsh when he had to choose three groups who will go for fame and glory in the final countdown of the primetime ITV1 contest.

Louis and his judging assistant, Boyzone’s Ronan Keating, were impressed by Kandy Rain’s performance when they lined up against five other acts who were bidding to make Louis’ final three at a villa in Lake Como, Italy.

One person who will certainly be rooting for Chemmane and Kandy Rain this weekend will be her boyfriend Dan Purdue. Dan is delighted with her success – and he is now urging everyone from Basingstoke to back her and her bandmates and keep them in the competition.

He said: “Everyone needs to get behind her and put our town on the map because she is the first X Factor contestant to come from Basingstoke who has made it to the live shows.”

Dan, 27, who owns Raggos Barbering Studio on Worting Road, was in the same year as Chemmane at the then Cranbourne School.

He said: “We kept in touch and I have been with her for two-and-a-half years now. She was in the girl band a year before the audition. I knew they were good as a band and they could go far.”

Chemmane and her bandmates – Azi Jegebefume, Coco Lloyd and Khatereh Dovani – have been working with mentor Louis on the performances they hope will win enough votes to take them through to the next round. But while she is out of sight, Dan has been able to keep in touch with Chemmane.

He said: “I speak to her every day and it’s nice to hear from each other. She’s the person I’m in love with. I’ve told her to enjoy every minute of it. I do miss her but I’m happy that she’s following her dream.”

The band are now rehearsing for their first live performance on Saturday and Dan thinks they will create a huge impact.

He added: “The show seems to have held back on them a bit up until now but there might be a reason for that. They might be saving it to create a big impact on the live shows. I don’t know when I’m going to see her next but I’ve told her to focus on what’s going on and not think about anything else right now. I’m behind her all the way.”

Chemmane’s best friend Nathan Lubbock-Smith said the Kandy Rain girls are now sharing a room with fellow finalists Lucie Jones and Stacey Solomon at The X Factor house in London.

He added: “I spoke to Chemmane last weekend and she’s having a brilliant time. I’m waiting to speak to her properly but she’s really busy. I’m really pleased for her and they are working on their song for this week.”

The X Factor camera crew have been to the Basingstoke area to interview Chemmane’s friends and family, and Nathan is set to appear on the programme this weekend, along with Chemmane’s former dance teacher Jo Eustace.

Jo said: “The makeover they have had is unbelievable. I thought they looked brilliant. I think that they will get signed up and will do well from this whatever happens.”

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