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First Pop Idol made an unlikely star of overweight singer Michelle McManus. Now the format faces its toughest challenge yet: creating the nation's first genuinely populist politician.
The producer behind the reality TV hit Big Brother is in talks with broadcasters about a political version of Pop Idol - a nationwide show designed to choose a brand-new candidate for election.
Whether Pop Idol judge Simon Cowell would be retained to hurl insults at the Westminster contenders remains unclear, but those behind the project insist it is a serious proposal.
For rest of article, see
Power Idol? Now politicians audition for votes
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Politics is no game show