The Voice UK Season 3 - Why We Love Kylie Minogue

The Voice UK

Thinter Voicein UK season 3 has been pulling in millions of viewers. What producers realised was that Simon Cowell's little secretyou wasn't that we want to see the next big artist or  karaoke renditions of pop songs. 

The Voice UK has got a diverse range of judges that appeal to different age groups and fans of Ms Minogue, an icon that brings a down to earth family quality to television, is the right ingredient.

The Minogue Factor

Minogue has been around for decades. She has a loyal fan base. Minogue captures the hearts of those that grew up with her. As one contestant said, she has been an inspiration. She is the girl next door who achieved success, but remains one of us. If you haven't guessed, I am a fan. 

In 2013,  she signed on to Jay Z's label. The Voice brings her back into the limelight, following sister Danii's footsteps. It's a brilliant move by Minogue to go back to television.  That's where she became a star. That's where she has an edge over artists. An audience of 10 million tuning in to see you every week and getting paid for it, with a new album on the way, she will be singing I should be so lucky all the way to the bank.

I was at Earls Court at one of her concerts shortly before her cancer diagnosis. Through her ups and downs in love and acting, trying to make it in the US, the little pop princess has kept her head held high and a smile on her face. Is it any wonder that the contestants all want her, even those who might be better fitted with other judges?

The Contestants

The contestants, though they lack the wow factor, are not so painful to watch and there is a certain genuine integrity that you feel this might be wholesome and undemanding viewing.

The Voice UK might not make one hit wonders. They don't have the money and marketing to make it happen.  But its audience doesn't feel it is being manipulated to call and vote for their favourite. It gives some new talent the opportunity to make their dreams come true. It is a show about hope and simply tries to make you feel good. Three cheers for going back to basics.

The Voice - looking forward

Minogue brings a fresh fun vibe to a show which was becoming a little tired. She can tone down her enthusiasm a little. The dynamic with the other judges works and that too is important. 

The contestants have room to grow and they are a good mix. The Voice UK is not compelling viewing yet. Bring in a few dynamite voices and personalities to shake it up. 

This season is on its way to becoming massively big.  Well done BBC. We love The Voice UK and Kylie Minogue so far - the ratings prove it.

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Amsterdam - a European city to revisit and love

I didn't expect to love Amsterdam, afterall I had been there before and my memory from more than 10 years ago was a seedy cold place that was like most other European cities. However, visiting in the middle of Winter doesn't really allow you to explore and appreciate Amsterdam in quite the same way that a few relaxing days in Spring does.

The canals are lovely and it has a very different feel to Venice, though you do derive the same delight in getting lost as you cross bridge after bridge.

The street art above shop fronts and on market sheds was fascinating. Bright splashes of paint compliment the charm of the vibrant city. .

One boat owner decided to construct his own art with bottles. The Dutch aren't just clog wearing, cheese eating bicycle riders. They have flair, treasure their gardens and enjoy simply sitting on a bench outside their apartment to watch the world go by.

The flower market is extraordinary and full of colour. You can pick up trinkets, seeds, bulbs or just go to marvel at all the different flowers that you can buy there.

Several stalls are set up and I confess that I couldn't help but spend a small fortune on bulbs. I was inspired. Sadly only a handful of my bulbs actually rewarded me with plants, and I am yet to see any flowers. It is possibly my own ineptitude as a gardener. It was fun to bring home a small piece of Amsterdam in any case.

Rembrandt's house was worth a visit. You step back in time to see how the artist and people of his time lived. I spent several hours wandering through the house.

My top tips for Amsterdam:

• do not go in Winter! It's cold, grey and miserable.
• Visit the flower market and Rembrandt's house. I previously had been to Anne Frank's house and that is definitely a must see, though you should plan ahead as it can be very crowded.
• Spend a few hours wandering around the canals. Get lost in Amsterdam and enjoy it.
• I didn't visit any sex shows, the red light district or try any of the other recreational legal activities that Amsterdam is also well known for. If you do, just remember to be careful.
• I stayed near the new museum and spent some time walking around a beautiful park, It was a very safe area and I even passed my a hotel that Justin Bieber was allegedly staying in. (There were teenage girls screaming outside a building at 10pm at night.)

Amsterdam is a remarkable city. It has a character that you can easily be charmed by so that you may be tempted to revisit it again.

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