The Couples Profiles



Jocelyn Brown and Matt Allwright

Renowned for her powerful, soul-shaking voice, Jocelyn began singing in church at the age of three and by 14 she had already contributed backing vocals for a Gene Pitney album her aunt was working on.

Jocelyn has now had over 20 hits on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, four of which have reached No.1, and she has sold over 500,000 copies of Don't Talk Just Kiss with Right Said Fred.

Her more recent material demonstrates her ability to diversify her talents but not only is she legendary in the dance music world she is noted as being one of New York City's premier jingle artists.

Her distinguished music career started a backing singer for artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Luther Vandross, George Benson, John Lennon among others.

Her solo music career was launched almost by accident when she fell out with a music producer but this lead to the release of one her most iconic songs Somebody Else's Guy which reached No.13 in the UK charts where it remained for nine weeks as well as charting on the Billboard Hot 100 at No.75.

The song catapulted her from backing singer to dance floor diva almost overnight.

Jocelyn is currently working on two new projects – a solo album featuring much of her previously unreleased work and a partnership bringing US gospel music to London.

Jocelyn brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the show and an explosive sense of humour making her a dynamic performer and teacher.

Matt Allwright has got a whirlwind ride ahead ahead of him.

Matt got into the BBC by turning up on the doorstep of BBC radio in Southampton and"hanging around so long that they had to give me a job".

He then moved into TV presenting on Watchdog before taking on the nation's Rogue Traders.

Matt has some singing experience as he's part of a covers band called Surf and Turf. The group have been together eight years, mainly playing weddings – although they have recently made a decision not to do any more wedding gigs because they don't think they are good enough!

He is hoping that Just the Two of Us will help him understand why he sounds good singing some songs and not others.

Describing himself as "a very sad country and western fan", Matt believes that Steve Earle, from his favourite band Steve Earle & the Dukes, is "God".

Matt loves many styles of music including Al Green and any old time soul classics but he's not a fan of pop music.

On performing live to the nation Matt says he hopes"to not make an arse of myself" and doesn't want to let his singing partner down! 



Natasha Hamilton and Mark Moraghan

Natasha is one third of the most successful girl band since the Spice Girls – the feisty Liverpudlian trio Atomic Kitten – who have sold over seven million records and scored four platinum albums over the last six years.

Together with her fellow Kittens, Natasha has amassed an array of awards and nominations.

These include Best Newcomer in 2000 (Smash Hits Poll Winners Party), three Disney Awards in 2000 and 2001 (Best Newcomer, Best Pop Act 2001, World's Sexiest Females 2001) and Best Pop Group (Capital Awards 2003).

Atomic Kitten are currently on a break from recording and performing.

Natasha has spent the past 18 months concentrating on her family and working hard on material for her debut album due for release later this year.

Natasha is a massive fan of 'old school soul' such as Marvin Gaye, Barry White and Quincy Jones. Confident Natasha, partnered with Holby City's bad boy Mark Moraghan, is keen to take up the challenge and share her wealth of performing experience with Mark.

Mark is probably best known for his womanising ways as Holby City's Dr Owen Davies but he quit the series at Christmas to pursue a career in TV, music and film.

And he's not a novice singer – he last took to the stage for the Tsunami Gala Concert alongside Mel C and at the Royal Festival Hall in a concert with the BBC Orchestra in aid of Children In Need.

Mark has a number of acting credentials under his belt including Brookside, Dream Team, London's Burning and Peak Practice.

But his career could have taken a very different path in the late Seventies when, aged 17, he became backing singer for rock group Personal Column.

After a year of gigging in pubs and clubs Mark left the band to pursue acting. He has a wide variety of musical tastes and cites Steely Dan as his favourite band.

He also loves Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops and Stevie Wonder. Mark also has some more unusual musical tastes, he says: "I like classical music such as Elgar, Barber, Bach, Handel and Faure."

Mark hopes to combine his two biggest loves – singing and acting – by eventually appearing on stage in a West End musical and is taking part in Just the Two of Us because of his love for singing.

Mark said: "I would love to win the show but above all I want to enjoy the whole experience". 



Beverley Knight and Nicky Campbell

UK born soul star and talented singer/songwriter Beverley Knight has forged an outstanding music career over the years.

She has appeared alongside a wealth of artists from Chaka Kahn to Bryan Adams and has performed by invitation for a host of celebrated fans including David Bowie, Mohammed Ali, Nelson Mandela and even the leaders of the G8.

With her second album Prodigal Sista, Beverley's gospel-influenced soul was rewarded with MOBO awards for best R&B and best album.

She is also a double Brit award nominee, a Mercury Award nominee, and has three gold selling albums, 11 top 40 hits, and top ten hits with Shoulda Woulda Coulda and Come As You Are.

She is a multi-faceted and enthusiastic artist whose powerful vocals will definitely make even the most hardened rock fan sit up and listen.

Beverley's next single, out in March, is a cover of Janis Joplin's classic Piece Of My Heart with a new album, a collection of her hits entitled Voice: The Best of Beverly Knight, following in quick succession.

Beverley is paired with Nicky and she is excited to be working with someone with a flair for singing and shares some of her musical tastes.

Beverley can offer Nicky ten years of experience, and believes that the best way to learn is by example.

She says she herself has learnt from the greats that went before her.

Nicky Campbell is the voice of BBC Radio Five Live Breakfast and front man of the UK's most successful consumer programme, BBC ONE's Watchdog.

His radio work has over the years garnered six Sony Awards including a Gold Award in 2002 for Five Live Breakfast programme's coverage of the September 11 attack on New York.

Nicky was also voted Variety Club of Great Britain Radio Personality of the Year in 1999.

When Nicky was around 13 years old, he began to write songs with a friend and they formed a band. He played the guitar and piano, skills that he has kept up today.

But as an adult, Nicky has only sung in public on a karaoke machine when he's had a few drinks and says: "This is new territory for me so it's sink or swim."

He is hoping that Just the Two of Us will be a lot of fun: "Obviously I want to learn to develop my voice, but I think it will be a nice change from all the serious stuff that I'm so used to doing." 



Jo O'Meara and Chris Fountain

Jo O'Meara, former star of pop sensation S Club 7 and acclaimed solo artist, has established herself as a true pop diva.

S Club 7 clocked up a staggering four UK No.1's, eight top three hits, 11 top ten hits and sold over 14 million albums.

They also won Brit awards in 2002 for Best British Single (for Don't Stop Moving) and Best British Breakthrough Act Record of the Year (for Don't Stop Moving).

Her debut solo single What Hurts The Most soared to No.13 in the UK Top 40 chart.

Jo has a soft spot for the classic songs of Motown and is inspired by artists such as Karen Carpenter, Eva Cassidy and Katie Melua, all reflected in the material of her debut solo album Relentless.

No stranger to the small screens or the spotlight she takes Hollyoaks' teenage star Chris Fountain under her wing to teach him the finer points of pop.

Glad that she shares a similar sense of humour with singing partner Chris, Jo is keen to add a bit of a twist to their country and western song by getting Chris line dancing despite his dislike of the genre!

Chris Fountain will be the competition's youngest star, currently staring as Hollyoaks troubled teenager, Justin Burton. He has been part of the cast since 2003.

Now only 18, Chris' professional performing career began in 1998 when he landed the role of Gavroche in Les Miserables after seeing an open audition advertised and he went along "and queued for a million hours".

He also performed as part of a boy band called NAU-T touring the pubs and clubs of Manchester.

As well as enjoying singing, Chris is a talented drummer and a keen guitar player.

Chris admits he jumped at the chance to take part in the show so he has a chance to show the nation that he can really sing, something which his mum and grandmother have encouraged him to continue alongside his acting career.

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