Take That fame within reach for singer Jonnie on BBC One’s Let It Shine

Jonnie (25), from Scholes, has made it through to the final of Gary Barlow’s BBC One show, Let It Shine, as part of five-piece boy band Drive.

The former Rotherham Civic Theatre ice-cream seller is hoping 'Everything Changes' for him as he competes against two other boy bands live to the nation.

Barlow is searching for five winners to join the cast of a new musical based on Take That.

It was nearly curtains for Jonnie on last weekend’s show, but the ‘Babe’ was saved by Barlow and fellow judges Dannii Minogue, Ashley Roberts and Martin Kemp.

Proud dad Malcolm Halliwell, who works in Rotherham Borough Council’s landscape design department, said: “We are all so proud of him.

“Thank you to everyone who has voted for him so far. We’re keeping everything crossed for Saturday night.”

The rest of Riverside House are also rooting for Jonnie.

Polly Hamilton, Rotherham Council’s assistant director for culture, sport and tourism said: “He is an exceptionally talented singer and well done to him for getting so far in this competition. 

“He comes across as such a great character on this show, his real Rotherham spirit shines through.

“He is a great reason to be proud of the home grown talent we have here and I would urge everyone to vote for him this weekend when the public phone lines open.”

Jonnie has already performed in the West End in White Christmas, but wants to be ‘Back For Good’ on the famous boards.

He also took the lead role of Aladdin at the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre in the Christmas 2015 pantomime, but a win on Saturday would be his ‘Greatest Day’.

‘It Only Takes A Minute’ to vote for Jonnie, so make ‘Sure’ you tune in on Saturday at 6.45pm.

Jonnie, along with bandmates, Jazzie, Conor, Mark and Matt, will perform Grease is the Word and Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud.

Go Jonnie Go!

Jonnie Halliwell