Shentall is engaged to the former Steps singer

The Daily Mail was similarly sceptical in its coverage: "The new member of pop band Hear'Say was revealed yesterday - or rather, uncovered."

Hear'Say manager Chris Herbert was adamant the group had no idea who Shentall was before the auditions.

'Publicity stunt'

"He joined the end of the queue on Sunday like everyone else. But he stood out from all the rest and it wasn't hard for the band and me to decide," he told The Mirror.

But many papers also quoted Pop Idol judge Neil Fox, who said: "I think it's a con. Kids came from all over the country and most of them never even got a chance to audition because their faces didn't fit."

He added: "I wish Johnny the best of luck but I think it was a publicity stunt which I hope backfires."

BBC News Online users were also unimpressed with the turn of events.

Thousands of hopefuls queued in the rain on Sunday

Kat de Adman from Surrey queued up for three hours in the pouring rain on Sunday to audition.

"I agree that the band's shelf life is quickly coming to an end and the way they went about this PR stunt has not helped in the slightest," she said.

"I didn't even get to go indoors, let alone sing a note. All I really gained from it was a common cold! Thank you very much Hear'Say."

Sarah McAvoy wrote: "What a load of rubbish. If it took three months to find the right band members for the original Hear'Say group, how on earth was a decision made in one day to re-recruit the essential fifth member?"

Others took a different view - Sarah in England wrote: "Well hello! He's definitely added some sex appeal to the band, that's for sure!"