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.