Dean 'Midas' Maynard talks to the London Guru about this year’s Xfactor, Harry Judd on the Strictly Come Dancing final tonite other reality stars and what’s coming up in 2012
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| Dean Midas Maynard |
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Dean mostly focuses on Reality TV shows like Britain's Got Talent, Big Brother, Dancing On Ice, The Apprentice and I'm A Celebrity amongst many others. Of all the Reality TV shows Dean is involved with the X-Factor is by far the biggest for him in terms of media interest and work.
His eye for spotting new upcoming singers, bands and talent in general, has earned him the nickname of the 'Simon Cowell' of his profession.
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| David Beckham in England Team |
Amongst his sports achievements, Dean was honoured to be part of the Bring Back Beckham campaign, which resulted in David Beckham being restored to the England squad in May 2007. He also predicted FA Cup upsets for Torquay United (2007) and Blyth Spartans (2008) and he famously correctly stated that Stoke City would survive in the 2008/09 Premier League against all expectations. He also backed Newcastle United during their successful 2009/10 Championship Winning campaign and their 2010/11 Premiership return.
Dean has a good record with many other sporting events including the Grand National, where he still remains unbeaten after 6 years (2006 to date) against a team of professional tipsters. In 2011 his horses came 1st and 2nd.
Dean has also predicted the last two Cheltenham Gold Cup Winners in 2010 and 2011.Dean also regularly teams up with Sky Sports News Radio to provide tips throughout the season.
In addition to his prediction expertise, Dean is a respected Ghost Investigator and in 2005, his years of extensive research regarding the Amityville Horror paid off when the film was re-made and he became a media magnet around the world. He is still passionate about the subject till this day.
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| Dean is also a Ghost investigator |
Dean is also an avid Charity fundraiser and he is honoured to support The Give Tilly a Hand Appeal and the Megan Armstrong Cancer Appeal amongst many others.
# A Midas act is the person/band/team that Dean supports during a reality TV show or sports event. This can be done officially (most times it is with the acts full blessing) or non officially, either way, a Midas act is a Midas act and Dean supports them 100% via the media, his writing work with Tellymix and Music News and online.
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| Dean Midas Maynard |
Janet Devlin and Midas interview
London Guru: Welcome to the London Guru Dean. Can you tell the readers who may not follow reality shows what a reality show pundit does, especially as some people in the media have called you an “agent”.
Dean Midas Maynard (DMM): As a chosen Midas act, the coverage is 24/7, attention from me via my media and radio outlets. I currently write for Tellymix and Music news and at peak times they can be attracting a good 10 million hits a month between them. You couldn't pay for that kind of coverage.
London Guru: When did you start making predictions on reality shows, is it something you chose to do or just fell into it by chance?
DMM: I started making predictions on reality shows in 2006 with the X Factor but I had unofficially being doing it long before that on other shows and sports events. For example when I was nine years old I picked my first Grand National Winner, Aldanti after my dad asked me for a joke who would win… that was in 1981. I continued to “guess” winners who would do well across a wide range of areas, not just sport related.
London Guru: How do the acts react once you have chosen them as a “midas act”. Does it give them a confidence boost?
DMM: The acts I choose to support can see my previous predictions, so having “Midas support” can’t be a bad thing. Previous acts I have supported have put their trust and faith in me and can see what I am all about – very open. If I do give them a small boost of confidence then that is brilliant.
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| Xfactor 2011 judging panel |
London Guru: The Xfactor final was last Sunday, the biggest one ever at Wembley stadium. What do you think of this year’s Xfactor live shows and the final?
DMM: The weekly live shows have been entertaining to say the least. From Johnny’s Space suit to Kitty’s Tea Party, the contestants this year have had the opportunity to really camp it up, enhanced by powerful stage sets. The Final too was a great spectacle, but I do feel the purpose of the event was drowned out a bit with so many big stars also appearing. The Final should be about the contestants, not as a platform for the latest well known star to be seen, although I appreciate this helps the ratings! Personally, I prefer the intimacy of the studio. I am still of old school however where feel the initial auditions should go back to being in a small room with Simon’s eyes staring at them!!!
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| Xfactor 2011 Johnny in his space suit |
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| Xfactor 2011 Kitty Brucknell parody of Mad Hatters Tea Party |
London Guru: Are your predictions based on how well they do on the Xfactor and the offers of professional work they get or longevity of their careers. How does the “Midas” process work?
DMM: First and foremost I look at an act for longevity. An act I can see working long after the show has finished. Niki Evans came 4th in 2007 and is still getting lead roles in the West End and doing better than most of the acts from that year, even the ones that finished above her. It is all about attitude and hard work too. Some of the acts coming through think it will turn them into an overnight sensation but if they turn into a rude and arrogant person then their days are numbered. People have to like them to so I do also look for “real” people.
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| Nicky Evans, the beautiful & talented singer came 4th on Xfactor |
London Guru: Who were the Midas Acts this year on Xfactor? How did they do?
DMM: The lovely and unique Janet Devlin and the “totes amaze”, 2 Shoes. Charley from 2 Shoes has just had her first child (Beaux on the 15th December) and Janet Devlin has enjoyed a busy schedule since leaving the show. She has been all over the country, gigging and recording interviews. 2012 will be a fantastic year for her and I hope she enjoys her first single release. 2 Shoes may shine on personality. Although singers, they have such infectious personalities that make you just want to smile when they are around.
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| 2 Shoes on Xfactor with host Dermot O'Leary |
London Guru: Still on Xfactor and the last “Midas Act” standing Janet Devlin. There are conflicting stories in the media saying she has only had an offer and others said she has signed to Duncan Bannatyne’s label RKA Records already. Can you confirm any definite offers she has had already?
DMM: I can 100% confirm that Ryan Ashmore the co-owner of RKA has made an informal offer via the media to Janet via me but as she is contracted to Syco until at least April then nothing more can be done. It is great for us though because they offered the deal only 35 minutes after Janet was voted off.
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| Janet's 1st audition went viral and was tipped to win from the start |
To buy tickets for th e Xfactor Live Tour go to their website
London Guru: Janet Devlin was definitely one of the very memorable acts and very unique. Louis Walsh even said many times she has the perfect recording voice. What are your predictions for her future?
DMM: Let me firstly say what a wonderful family Janet has, her dad Aquinas and mum Patricia have been so trusting and appreciative of my work with Janet. As for Janet herself I really think 2012 is going to be amazing for her and if all goes to plan then her debut album should be out by this time next year. Make sure its on your Christmas list for 2012.
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| From L to R - Janet Devlin, Sophie Habibis, Judge Kelly Rowland, Amelia Lily & Misha B (they all PUT IT DOWN) |
London Guru: Throughout Xfactor 2011, you have given your full support to Janet, talked to her and her family and mentioned each other in the media. So on a personal level, how does Janet really feel about her Xfactor journey?
DMM: Janet is so appreciative of her time on the X Factor and has quite honestly said to me and during interviews that she never ever thought she would win it. She is thankful for having the opportunity to perform in front of millions each week, and will take the whole experience with her as she develops her career. The mentoring she received throughout the show was invaluable and the X Factor has been an excellent platform to help her build her career. She is excited now to record her own material that will show the true Janet style, which was not always possible to see while she was covering other people’s songs.
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| Janet Devlin on the live xfactor shows |
London Guru: Just after the Final, the voting statistics were released and revealed that Janet topped the voting for the first 5 weeks and was never out of the top 3 until her departure. Two reasons have been mentioned the most in the media for her exit from the Xfactor, possibly her personality or the wrong song choices? It’s of course only speculation but what do you think about that or do you have your own opinion about why she did not reach the final as anticipated?
DMM: The results showed that the country has taste. They know a great singer when they hear one. From a personal point of view, the results showed what a great job we did in promoting Janet. To top a public vote 4 weeks in a row takes a lot and she should always be proud of that. In terms of the Final, as I already said Janet never ever saw herself winning and I think it was the right time for her when she went. I do think however, her performance of Cannonball would have been spine tingling.
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| Janet and her mentor Kelly Rowland when she exited the Xfactor |
London Guru: As the finalists were announced did you think Little Mix could win considering the history of bands on the Xfactor especially girl bands?
DMM: I have to be honest once Janet went I knew they would win. They have been the most consistent act of all the finalists. They deserved to win and I wish them all the best for 2012 and beyond.
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| Little Mix, first girl band to win the Xfactor with mentor Tulisa (judge) |
London Guru: I always support the Xfactor charity single because it is for a good cause. But not all the Xfactor winner ‘s singles have been great songs. When it is not a “Midas Act” (of course) do you think the Xfactor finalist should always get the Xmas number one even when the song is not the best?
DMM: Songs should sell on merit and quality. It would be great to have the winner release a Christmas feel good song then the anti X factor crowd might support it and not set up a campaign to go against it. This year should be different with having the winners single out a week earlier. Others can get into the running.
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| Joe McElderry and Zach De La Rocha of Rage Against The Machine who got Xmas 1 |
DMM: I felt sorry for Joe but I also see why the non X Factor fans do it. Credit must be given to them as well for taking on such a huge show and winning.
London Guru: This year another group is challenging the Xfactor Christmas number one, they have 130, 860 members and are called get Nirvana to number 1 in support of Rhythmix Charity. Have you heard of them and what do you think?
Get Nirvana to number 1 Facebook page
DMM: I have nothing against them and I wish the charity all the best but I hope they fail this time as I would dearly love to see the Military Wives song as Christmas number one.
Read more about the Military Wives Choir's Xmas song "Wherever You Are" on choir master Gareth Malone’s website Facebook Twitter
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| Military Wives singing "Wherever You Are" |
London Guru: You most famous and successful “Midas Act” is Leona Lewis, she has done what most British artist fail to do and that is cross over to America and became a global star. How proud are you and are you still in touch?
DMM: I am really proud but at the same time it really has put the pressure on me, year in year on the X Factor. Early on Leona did send me a few messages thanking me for my support but I have to honestly say I haven't had any contact with Leona for quite a few years now.
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| After the xfactor Leona Lewis became a huge international Star |
London Guru: If you looked across all the reality shows you predict on which act do you look back at most and wish they had been a “Midas Act”?
DMM: If I am totally honest I would have loved Olly Murs to be a Midas act. He is a likeable lad and the kind of person I would love to work with.
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| Olly Murs on Xfactor 2009 |
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| Olly Murs & Caroline Flack Presenting Xtra Factor 2011 |
London Guru: You have a good relationship with other Xfactor acts who were not as such Midas Acts. Are they just friends or do you work with them?
DMM: I see the majority of them as very good friends but most of the time it is totally a professional business working relationship.
London Guru: I saw “the Chery Lloyd T-Shirt”, tell us about your support for Cher Lloyd this year with her single “Swagger Jagger”. Did your support help her get to number 1 in the UK charts?
DMM: Ha Ha. This is one of the highlights of 2011. I always stuck up for Cher during her time on the X Factor as I thought some of the media coverage she got was very heavy handed, especially when she was such a young girl. I defended her on numerous radio interviews and got right behind her debut single. When it got to number one a number of dj's blamed me for it hitting the top spot and from a handful it turned in to 10, then 20. Then Carol Lee the co owner of www.force18.co.uk/
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| Cher Lloyd's single "Swagger Jagger" went to No.1 |
London Guru: Simon Cowell left the UK Xfactor to launch the US Xfactor, what do you think of the US show compared to ours?
DMM: From what I have seen of it, it highlights one very big issue. How much the UK version missed Simon on this year’s show. I really hope he returns in 2012.
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| US Xfactor from L-R, Nicole Scherzinger, Simon Cowell, Paul Abdul, L.A Reid & Host Steve Jones |
London Guru: The other show that I love is “I’m a Celebrity Get me out of here”, I think “Midas Act” Mark Wright (from TOWIE) did really well in coming second. Do you think Mark will get a great career of the back of the show?
DMM: Mark did very well, when I said I was backing him people said he "didn't have a chance" and would be "one of the first voted off” I think Mark will do 'totes amaze' away from the show and he is set for a huge 2012.
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| Dougie Poynter Won & Mark Wright came 2nd in I'm a Celebrity |
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| Mark Wright & Dougie Poynter good mates at the Comedy Awards Last Nite |
London Guru: The Strictly Come Dancing final is this weekend. I think there are three very strong final celebrity dancers, Chelsee Healey, Jason Donovan and “Midas Act” Harry Judd. How confident are you feeling for Harry Judd?
DMM: I honestly think it will be a very close call between Chelsee and Harry but I am hoping after the success of Midas Act Kara Tointon last year that we can make it a Midas double with Harry.
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| Harry Judd, 2nd on left with Semi-finalists on Strictly |
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| Harry twinkle toes with partner Aliona |
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| Harry twinkle toes with partner Aliona 2 |
London Guru: You have started your own talent PR company now. Tell us about that? Are the acts going to come straight from the reality shows and right into your PR company?
DMM: I have already managed to get some of Midas acts on board and I am working on signing a few more up ahead of launch in early 2012. At this moment in time the dream is to sign Janet Devlin but for now I will just stick to promoting her.
London Guru: You are also a sports pundit, can we expect some Olympic predictions in 2012? I definitely have some spare cash to burn and a heads up would be great so I can place a few bets on the biggest show on the planet :)
DMM: I will definitely be backing Team GB during the Olympics so keep an eye on my website for tips and predictions nearer the time.
London Guru: Lastly what can we expect from Dean “Midas” Maynard in 2012? What’s coming up?
DMM: I am looking forward to continuing my writing with Tellymix and Music News and the start of the Voice on BBC in spring. I also have a talent show to judge, a potential film project and will keep working hard promoting and my Midas Acts.
Thank you and here at the London Guru we wish Dean and the Midas Acts all the best in the future.
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