tony slattery on tonights "stars"

[crisgal]

did anyone else find him a bit odd? Was he just super nervous, trying to be funny, or is in fact very peculiar??

[bernardo]

Yes - very noticeable. Since he was at the height of his fame 10 or 15 years ago, he had a long period of serious depression (I'm not sure, but I think he may have even attempted suicide at one point) so I think that he was probably (a) very nervous and (b) suffering from the long-term side-effects of lots of prescribed medication. I don't know anything special about medicine or mental health but I assume that any type of medicine would have cumulative long-term effects.

On a slightly different subject, why did Cat say that he was the first person ever on "Stars In Their Eyes" to sing "a cappella"? My dictionary says that means unaccompanied. But he had other singers and backing music, didn't he?

[Minxie]

Yes crisgirl, I thought he looked very odd. But I have read somewhere that he has suffered very badly from depression. Dont think his choice of song was THE best one for him either!

[crisgal]

that's so sad, he was so lively and almost giddy in his hey day, wasn't he? In response to your question, minxie, there wasn't any musical backing, just the singers. He did very well, but don,t you think that the celebrity one is more of a "let's dress you up while you sing a song for us" rather than a sound-a-like show? I mean, Jennie Bond as Debbie Harry?!!

[zipadeedodah]

It's definitely just a chance for 'celebrities' to dress up and sing - obviously unlike the proper show, the celebs are asked to do it, and then they have to decide on someone to try and copy...usually unsuccessfully! still, it can be quite entertaining, and the girl from emmerdale who won last night I thought was good! had to cringe at Richard Arnold and Kate Garraway though..

[curiosity]

As Bernardo suggests, we concluded that he looked to be suffering from long term side effects of neuroleptic medication. Very sad, but well done to him for having a go.

[Kay]

Yes Tony became a recluse for months. He never realised he was having a breakdown due to his depressive state. I felt sorry for him last night but at least he's on the mend now. " A Cappella" means without instruments:--)