I AM not normally one to criticise fellow musicians, especially when they are at the height of their success, but why did Will, Gareth and Zoe have to stoop to miming at their shows at the Sheffield arena last Monday evening?

With people paying up to £40 a ticket, it seems disgraceful that they couldn't make the effort to perform live - especially as that was how they were selected as Pop Idols in the first place.

Combine that with the cost of the programmes at an extortionate £20 each and the words "rip" and "off" spring to mind.

Eddie Vee,

Wenham Road, York.

Updated: 10:10 Tuesday, October 22, 2002