Arundel man has ‘once in a lifetime’ experience on ITV’s Starstruck

An Arundel man had an ‘amazing experience’ appearing on an ITV talent show as Gary Barlow on Saturday night.
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James Hutchinson, 32, was on Starstruck, the show that transforms people with musical talent into pop stars.

Four teams of three appear on the show and battle it out every week for a chance to win £50,000.

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James said the lead up to the show made him nervous. He said: “I barely get stage fright anymore but I did get some nervousness about the show as I hadn’t seen any of it and knowing it would be shared with over five million people was crazy.

From Remarkable TV

Starstruck: Ep5 on ITV and ITV Hub

Pictured: Team Gary: James H, James S and Craig.

This photograph is (C) Remarkable TV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk.  This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms

For further information please contact:
james.hilder@itv.com / 0207 157 3052From Remarkable TV

Starstruck: Ep5 on ITV and ITV Hub

Pictured: Team Gary: James H, James S and Craig.

This photograph is (C) Remarkable TV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk.  This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms

For further information please contact:
james.hilder@itv.com / 0207 157 3052
From Remarkable TV Starstruck: Ep5 on ITV and ITV Hub Pictured: Team Gary: James H, James S and Craig. This photograph is (C) Remarkable TV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: [email protected] / 0207 157 3052

“It was hard keeping everything a big secret for so long, my dad Paul and his partner Sue came down for the weekend to watch and I invited some friends round to have a ‘watch party’ which was great fun.”

Performing as Gary Barlow was a great opportunity, said James. He added: “What a great opportunity and experience I got from being Gary.

“Studying his every move for over 6 months was intense but I feel I gave it my best shot at becoming Gary Barlow and he was backing the show also saying ‘if you aren’t watching Starstruck then you should be’.

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“He even recorded a special video message which made me shed a few tears, as I embodied Gary for so long I felt like I knew him, then seeing that video was incredible.”

From Remarkable TV

Starstruck: Ep5 on ITV and ITV Hub

Pictured: Team Gary: James H.

This photograph is (C) Remarkable TV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk.  This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms

For further information please contact:
james.hilder@itv.com / 0207 157 3052 SUS-220315-1557470From Remarkable TV

Starstruck: Ep5 on ITV and ITV Hub

Pictured: Team Gary: James H.

This photograph is (C) Remarkable TV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk.  This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms

For further information please contact:
james.hilder@itv.com / 0207 157 3052 SUS-220315-1557470
From Remarkable TV Starstruck: Ep5 on ITV and ITV Hub Pictured: Team Gary: James H. This photograph is (C) Remarkable TV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: [email protected] / 0207 157 3052 SUS-220315-1557470
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James said that listening back to the judges’ comments after his performance was a positive experience. He added: “The judges comments were so positive, and sums up how the show was from start to finish – such a positive experience.

“I remember when I was singing I heard Adam Lambert say ‘nice’ which was so good to hear, especially coming from someone like him.

“Beverley and Sheridan mentioned about embodying Gary and showing off that natural laid back but positive nature which I feel we all had during our performance despite all the nerves.”

James Hutchinson performed as Gary Barlow on ITV's Starstruck on Saturday, March 12James Hutchinson performed as Gary Barlow on ITV's Starstruck on Saturday, March 12
James Hutchinson performed as Gary Barlow on ITV's Starstruck on Saturday, March 12
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James added that he gave his best efforts despite not getting through to the final sing off. He said: “We were up against some tough competition in my episode, but to take away such amazing friendships from this show alone is a prize money can’t buy, I had one of the most amazing experiences doing this show – if I could do it all over again I would.

Overall, James said going on Starstruck and having that experience was amazing. He said: “It was a dream come true.

“It’s something I have always wanted to do, after watching The Voice, X Factor etcetera, I always wanted the opportunity to perform on a big stage and be on TV, and this was my big moment.

“It was incredible working with so many people in the industry, including Olly Murs’ creative director from his tour, Elizabeth Honan.

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“I have been a huge fan of hers for years, especially with her success behind Girls Aloud and the iconic the promise routine they did.

“Working with Juliet Russell who was our vocal coach, she is the lead vocal coach on The Voice so to have that opportunity was something money can’t buy.

“And most of all having such a fantastic experience from the audition stage to the final edits of the show it has been a once in a lifetime experience.”

If you missed James’ episode, you can watch it back on the ITV hub.

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