Sir Howard to make up and sing with Vai

Sir Howard Morrison once claimed NZ Idol winner Rosita Vai was too overweight to be a success.

Now the Rotorua entertainment legend has shown he is not too big to eat his words and share a stage with Vai. Organisers of this year's Lakeside concert - A Touch of Class - have revealed Sir Howard will sing a duet with the 24-year-old at the Village Green on February 4.

The pair will sing Love Is All during the second half of the show, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Their duet follows a promise Sir Howard made to Vai in October on TV1's Close Up programme, when he seemed to apologise for his comments and congratulate Vai on her win.

He said Vai had a "recordable voice" and he hoped they could "do something together in the future", before kissing her hand.

Earlier that week, Sir Howard struck a nerve nationwide when he told the Daily Post Vai was too big to be an idol.

Sir Howard said that although Vai was overweight, she could turn her problem into a positive. He suggested she publicly lose weight and become a health advocate for obese Maori and Polynesians.

NZ Idol judge Frankie Stevens, who is Lakeside's artistic director, was among those who disagreed with Sir Howard's comments.

The full Lakeside 2006 concert programme was unveiled yesterday fuelling speculation this year's show will be one of the best yet.

Forty-seven people are performing, including Stevens, fellow NZ Idol judge Jackie Clarke, musical theatre diva Tina Cross and new singing sensation Taisha from Auckland.

The concert also features NZ Idol finalist Nik Carlson, top-five contestant Teresa Bergman and the Candy Lane dancers.

As well as teaming with Vai, Sir Howard will perform with Dame Malvina Major.

The second half will feature a duet between Major and one of Rotorua's rising stars, Elizabeth Marvelly, who is now at Auckland's King's College.

Shortland Street star Shane Cortese and partner Nerida Lister, who gained fame as television's hottest couple during Dancing with the Stars, will give their first performance since announcing their relationship on Boxing Day.

The show
* When: February 4
* Where: Village Green, Rotorua
* Who: 47 musicians including Sir Howard Morrison, Rosita Vai, Jackie Clarke.

- Rotorua Daily Post