Just to clarify, I do count the guy as a friend of mine, and I respect him as a bloke. I certainly don't 'dislike' him, as has been trolly suggested.

My question has some sincere merit, in that I really don't want to upset him, but he seems oblivious to the fact that most of the audience do get fed up with hearing the same old stuff over and over again.

I did once ask him if he knew others songs. His reply was revealing. He said, yes. He said he practises them, but when it comes to his turn he loses confidence and falls back to what he knows he knows.

I'm not sure how to encourage him to take that leap of faith in himself. Maybe the answer is to suggest using a crib sheet, at least until he feels more confident?

What do the panel think?

Tone