They have helped the likes of Take That and the Spice Girls to hit the right note.

Now husband and wife voice coaches, David and Carrie Grant from Southgate, are coaching the likes of Rosie Ribbons and 20-stone Rik Waller on ITV1's smash hit show Pop Idol.

"It's the focus of my life," said Carrie, "I talk about it all day."

Out of 10,000 hopefuls wanting to be the next pop idol, there are only nine left in the final stage.

Carrie and her husband David, the former Eighties pop star, are due to be working with the remaining contestants today (Thursday) to help them prepare for Saturday's show.

"I think they're all brilliant in different ways," said Carrie. "I've got my personal favourites but we're not allowed to say.

"There are some great voices. It goes to show you how much talent is out there. It's been amazing, totally amazing."

The Grants already know them well after being brought in at the semi-final stage.

"For the last few years David and I have been doing vocal coaching for Take That, the Spice Girls, S Club 7, Victoria Beckham, and I guess we were the obvious choice," said Carrie.

The couple are currently working with S Club Children, a group of nine youngsters aged between ten and 12 that are destined to succeed on the back of S Club 7.

They have also been working closer to home, helping their church, St Barnabas Church in Holden Road, North Finchley, to record a CD of songs written and recorded by the members of the church community.

Carrie and David sang on the record and did all the vocal arrangements, making sure that the congregation's harmonies were okay.

"The church has wanted to make a CD for a long time," she said.

"I think it's going to do well in a church context. It's not happy clappy."

The CD 'Restore' has already sold 400 copies and is available from Cornerstone Bookshop in Woodhouse Road, North Finchley, on 020 8446 3056.

December 18, 2001 17:18