Joe McElderry Favourite To Win Popstar to Operastar

The popular Popstar to Operstar show returned to our screens last weekend with a new batch of pop stars facing the tricky challenge of transfering their success in the pop arena into the world of classical music. This year’s show is presented by Myleene Klass, and includes the likes of X Factor winner Joe McElderry, Steps singer Claire Richards and ex-Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton.

The popstars will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of the 2010 winner Darius Campbell and to help them in their quest for success they will be mentored by the Mexican music maestro Rolando Villazón and the supremely talented and equally stunning classical singer Katherine Jenkins. The highly regarded operatic duo will use their expertise to transform the celebrities into classical maestros, and they will be joined on the judging panel by violinist Vanessa Mae and actor/opera director Simon Callow.

The 2009 X Factor winner Joe McElderry heads the betting and is currently the odds-on 8/11 favourite with Victor Chandler. Steps singer Claire Richards, who is 5/1 to win, will be hoping her transformation from popstar to operastar won’t be a Tragedy, while the former Eurovision winner Cheryl Baker is available at 6/1. Erasure front man Andy Bell and the former Pussycat Doll turned solo artist Melody Thornton are both priced at 7/1, with soul diva Jocelyn Brown and Toploader’s Joe Washbourne outsiders at 10/1 and 12/1 respectively.

In the opener last week Ultravox frontman Mitch Ure was the first singer to be voted off the show. The 57-year-old failed to impress the public with his rendition of Questa O Quella and lost a close sing-off against Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton.

Popstar to Operstar Outright Winner Odds – correct as of 24/06/2011:

• Joe McElderry – 5/6
• Claire Richards – 5/1
• Cheryl Baker – 8/1
• Andy Bell – 14/1
• Joe Washbourne – 25/1

All odds courtesy of Victor Chandler