By Ted Jeory and Aynsley DavidsonIT was so near, and yet so far, for two of the region's most high-profile music acts.Lowestoft rock sensations The Darkness missed out on hitting the number one spot in the UK's singles charts – and their LP was also knocked off the top of the album charts.

By Ted Jeory and Aynsley Davidson

IT was so near, and yet so far, for two of the region's most high-profile music acts.

Lowestoft rock sensations The Darkness missed out on hitting the number one spot in the UK's singles charts – and their LP was also knocked off the top of the album charts.

Colchester singer-songwriter Peter Brame also had his dreams shattered after he was voted off the BBC show, Fame Academy, just losing out in a place in the final and the chance of a recording contract.

Zany rockers The Darkness have become the new darlings of the music scene and had been hotly-tipped to land their first number one single with I Believe In A Thing Called Love.

The competition for The Darkness – made up of the Lowestoft trio of brothers Justin and Dan Hawkins and their schoolfriend Ed Graham, plus Frankie Poullain – was expected to come from a remixed version of Rubberneckin' by Elvis Presley.

But rap act Black Eyed Peas sprang a surprise yesterday by hanging on to the top spot for the fourth week running with Where is the Love.

The Darkness came in at number two with the re-released I Believe In A Thing Called Love – a dramatic improvement it barely made an impression in the charts the first time around.

Their spell at the top of the album chart also came to an end with Permission to Land replaced at the summit by Absolution by rock outfit Muse.

However, the Darkness will attempt to top the singles chart again before the year is out – they have recorded a Christmas single and began working on its video last week.

Meanwhile, rock star wannabe Peter Brame has seen his dream of winning the BBC's reality game show, Fame Academy, shattered.

The former Essex University student from Colchester – who has been championed by Sir Bob Geldolf – was one of four remaining students at the academy hoping to make it into the grand of final on Saturday.

But the 24-year-old, with a reputation gained as much for his stage presence as his singing, failed to impress enough with his rendition of The Beatles classic, Something.

Viewers voted Brame in the bottom two with Carolynne Good. He then faced a vote-off, with the other academy students unanimously showing the exit.

Brame, who cites the Beatles, the Verve and Oasis as his favourite bands, has already made a name for himself in the Colchester area, performing at the town's arts centre and Soundhouse.

After graduating from Essex University with a degree in history, he went on to stack supermarket shelves and work as a labourer before training to manage a builders merchants team.

However, despite his eviction, tutors at the academy believe Brame still has a bright future in rock and roll.