Countless unknown singers have made their name by appearing on a TV talent show.

Pop may not be as meritocratic as it once was, but it still beats most walks of life. Pedigree counts for very little - just ask Sean Lennon or James McCartney.

The Brits must strike a balance between male and female, black and white, sales and excellence. In the 40th edition, they fell at the first hurdle.

For a music lover, there's nothing better than putting on a debut album by an unknown and realising that you've found a new favourite.

In a fascinating, fitful career, Fiona Apple has often felt like a one-woman band - singing, playing the piano, perhaps throwing in some rudimentary percussion.

Out of this strange suspended spring, patterns are emerging. If an album isn't postponed, it's quite likely to be special. Music, like the sky on a sunny day, seems brighter, sharper, deeper.

Melbourne based pharmaceutical company has produced condoms that can fight the spread of the Zika virus. The condom is available in Australia and marketed as Ansell dual protect with VivaGel.

A team at the University of California, San Diego found that an immune response to the virus could potentially be targeted to reduce the effects of the virus and birth defects (illustrated).

Researchers at Washington University successfully developed two mouse models to study how Zika virus infects unborn babies, by weakening their immune systems before infection.

As temperatures rise it becomes more likely, Zika-carrying Aedes mosquitoes will reach US shores. Dr Anjali Mahto reveals how wearing light clothes, losing weight and insect repellent can lessen the risk of being bitten.

The Honduran mother who delivered what is believed to be the first baby to be born with a Zika virus-related condition in the New York tri-state area has broken her silence.

More than 200 academics have now signed an open letter to the World Health Organisation calling for the Olympics to be postponed. But is it really necessary? Virus expert Dr Derek Gatherer gives his views.

The British long-jumper has frozen samples of his sperm amid fears about the Zika virus at this summer's Olympic Games in Rio. The virus can cause birth defects and be transmitted through sex.

The Northern Ireland sportsman was due to compete in the sporting event in August. But he said today that it was a risk he was 'unwilling to take'.

Scientists at Imperial College London found previously exposed to the dengue virus boosts the potency of Zika, explaining why cases in Brazil, where the former is rife, have soared.

Ali Fedotowsky and fiance Kevin Manno were all set to say 'I do' in Mexico but sadly had to scrap those plans.

The lab at Sun Yat-sen University occupies 37,700 square feet and has four workshops. Experts hopes it could make China a global leader in combating deadly diseases.

With the Zika virus casting a cloud hanging over the Olympics Games, several athletes have opted out with many more taking precautions. MARTHA KELNER answers the key questions...

Montgomerie, who was part of the delegation which presented golf's Olympic bid in 2009, also questioned the disparity between the number of men and women to have so far withdrawn.

Gold-winning Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn has admitted that she won't be going to the Summer games in Rio, Brazil this year because she's scared of contracting the Zika virus.

Unlike most viruses - which cannot cross the protective placenta - a new study by the University of California suggests that Zika can. It is the first study to map out the two routes that the infection can take.

Hope Solo took to Twitter to Friday to document her extensive Zika arsenal laid out on her bed – adding: 'If anyone in the village forgot to pack repellent, come and see me… #DeptofDefense #zikaproof.'

Scientists at Yale University have calculated only three to 37 people will bring the mosquito-borne disease back to their countries - in a worst-case scenario.

From furious protests over government corruption to the Zika epidemic, the road to Rio has been beset with problems, but locals have said visitors can expect a warm welcome.

While Zika is in the spotlight, there are other bugs and health problems that Olympic athletes and spectators should keep in mind. Here's look at what athletes and travelers can do about them.

Health officials said all 15 are within the same one-mile region of Miami, just in-land of the beach.

Public Health England released a statement following reports of three people in West Yorkshire being treated for the virus after returning from overseas. It said the risk to the general public is low.

The athletes who have decided to attend may be competing under the arms of Christ the Redeemer, but it’s hard to find one redeeming feature to the Olympic Games in Rio, writes KATIE HOPKINS.

The patient, who has not been identified, was tested as one of the 26 close contacts around the two original cases. It means there are now 16 local transmissions of Zika in Miami, Florida.

More than 90 people have contracted the infection in just one month - a staggering figure for the 1.4 million-strong state in such a short amount of time. Hawaii is also battling Zika.

Christine Curry teaches and practices obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Miami Hospital. So far she has treated over a dozen pregnant women with Zika, with many more expected.

The condition known as arthrogryposis freezes up joints, often leaving their hands, arms, legs, feet, or fingers frozen in a contorted position. In most cases, it also impairs function of the heart.

The star took to Twitter on Saturday after many were put off by a Snapchat story she shared earlier in which her mom Dianna Hart joked, 'Everybody down in Rio gonna get the Zika virus!'

The finding makes clear the need for pesticide programs that kill both adult mosquitoes and their eggs. Current methods are not adequate, warns study co-author Dr Robert Tesh of the University of Texas.

Until now, scientists have tentatively suggested that there may be a link between the virus and Guillain-Barre syndrome, an autoimmune condition when the body attacks itself after an infection.

Researchers at Glasgow University have been able to shed more light on how the Zika virus works by sequencing the full-length genome of the virus from a patient in Brazil.

The sudden onslaught of floods and torrential rain brought by Matthew over the weekend to Florida's east coast has destroyed areas of contained water where the species which carry the disease thrives.

Two British tourists have contracted the Zika virus after travelling to Florida, US, and pregnant women have been advised to cancel all 'non-essential' travel to the American state.

Two weeks ago, two British tourists in Florida were reported to have contracted Zika. The news came as the richest man in the world announced the details of a major project to tackle the problem.

Cases of sexual spread of Zika have been reported in other countries such as the US. Experts said the UK case was ‘not unexpected’.

Researchers from the Queensland University of Technology have found a way to kill the Zika virus using compounds found in an Australian native plant.

A couple in Miami tested positive for the Zika virus that was sexually transmitted after one of the partners traveled to several countries, including Cuba.

An Australian man has been diagnosed with the deadly Zika virus after returning from a holiday in Cuba. He was initially misdiagnosed after coming back from his holiday in central America.

Germany's players have taken to Twitter ahead of their second game of Euro 2016 Group C against Poland at the Stade de France. Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger both got involved.

Sportsmail's Martin Keown offers his assessment of Tuesday's two early games at Euro 2016 as Northern Ireland look to secure progress to the last 16 and Poland try to beat Germany to top spot.

Poland reached the knockout stages of the European Championship for the first time in their history following a 1-0 victory over neighbours Ukraine in the Stade Velodrome, Marseille.

On a crazy final day of the Euro 2016 group stage in France, teams from the British & Irish isles were left waiting until the very last moments to find out their last-16 fate in the tournament.

One of Belgium, Croatia, Hungary, Northern Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland and Wales are guaranteed a place in the final - none of whom have a major international honour to their name.

SECRET SCOUT: Sportsmail’s football expert has been busy scrutinising the Euros for prospective Premier League bargains this summer. 

The underwhelming group-stages are over and Euro 2016's knockout round is underway. Here, Sportsmail columnist MARTIN KEOWN gives his verdict on Saturday's last-16 games.