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Search For Grease Star

Simon Cowell's new ITV talent show searching for the leads for a new production of Grease is to go up against the BBC's show to find a lead for Joseph and his Techincolour Dreamcoat.

Cowell beat the BBC to the rights to the Grease show after the corporation set up the American version.

Auditions to find two unknowns to fill the roles of Sandy and Danny will begin in the near future with a view to a new stage production opening next summer.

BBC Worldwide is already co-producing a US version for NBC, hosted by Denise Van Outen and titled Grease: You're The One That I Want!

Cowell denied stealing the UK show from the BBC.

"As with anything you want to buy, you have got to pay a lot of money. These things don't come cheap and rightly so," he said.

"I think it's good the BBC haven't got it so it isn't coming out of licence fee payers' pockets. I think we have done a great service."

Cowell added: "In my opinion, Grease is the best musical on the planet. These two parts will be the most sought-after roles in the West End.

"It will work beautifully for us as a reality show. There will be a lot of twists." . wavegide

Simon Cowell Denies Stealing Format

Waveguide - Simon CowellSimon Cowell has denied stealing the concept for a talent show based on the hit musical Grease.

The X Factor judge announced plans this week for an ITV programme to find male and female leads for a new West End production of the show. Its concept is similar to the BBC's How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? which earlier this year searched for a leading lady to star in The Sound Of Music.

Cowell said: "I didn't steal it off them because it wasn't theirs in the first place.

"I'm confident this will be a hit because Grease is the best musical in the world." waveguide

Grease still the word for ONJ

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN has joined a TV talent search to find the next Sandy, the role she played in the hit film Grease.

Contestants on the US reality show, named Grease: You’re the One That I Want, will compete for a part in a Broadway revival of the musical.

Olivia, who starred opposite John Travolta in the 1978 original, will guest star in the first two episodes of the NBC show and will provide commentary.

The Australian singer had three hit singles from the soundtrack, but recently sued Universal Music Group, claiming she was owed more than $1 million (£512,000) in royalties from the record.

The SUN