GARRY Bushell's attempt to bring variety shows back to the forefront of the entertainment world took a big, big step forward with his show at Blackpool Pleasure Beach's Paradise Rooms.

The Big Big Variety Show is the television critic's answer to ITV bosses who axed the Big Big Talent Show, despite it pulling in around nine million viewers.

Singer Lisa Valente was the best act of the evening by a long way - and that's no insult to the others - with beautifully rendered versions of Janet Jackson's Together Again and Celine Dion's Titanic.

Tania, billed by Garry as England's best new country singer, opened the show with Marc Cohen's hit Walking in Memphis before singing a couple of her own numbers.

Comedian Andy Leach started off with some very tired material, but was thoroughly entertaining with a comedy hypnotism and magic routine before leaving on a high with an hilarious Hugh Grant routine.

Already picked up by Children's ITV, magician Stephen Mulhearn was quick with his patter and had more than a few tricks up his sleeve.

And mimic Francine Lewis has been snapped up to appear on Jim Davidson's Generation Game, proving that variety shows can give performers the boost they need to reach mainstream television.

Francine impersonated countless soap stars and television presenters before proving what a great voice she has of her own, singing an upbeat number.

It's admirable to see a pundit like Garry actually act on what he preaches and start off a variety show that could help nurture new talent through to the big time.

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