“When a contestant gets rejected and then they tell you they’re not leaving, I find that repulsive. I’m the judge and they’re the contestant, and they have to take direction.”

Having produced for the likes of Michael Jackson and Liza Minnelli, David Gest certainly has the ability to nurture talent. Determined to find the perfect Sandy and Danny, he has confessed that his one challenge will be tearing his eyes away from Sinitta’s legs in order to concentrate on the job at hand.

What role do you think you’re going to take on the panel?
“I’m going to do what I do for a living which is to find the best people for the roles of Danny and Sandy.

“If they’re good I’ll say so and put them through, and if they’re not I’ll say ‘Look, stop wasting your time and mine’. I have to be straight with them. It’s my job. We’re not here to play around. We’re here to cast people in a role.”

What made you decide to become a judge on the panel?
“First of all, when Simon Cowell said he wanted me to do this I was overwhelmed and, humbled to be honest with you. Inside I knew I wanted to do it, but I wasn’t sure because I didn’t know if I would enjoy being a judge. I’m very nervous doing something like this.

“I’m like two different people; when I’m on stage I am a certain character but when I go home I’m not this kind of person. I freaked this morning when I had to go out in front of the crowd, and once, when I had a party in LA, I actually stayed in my room!”

How do you fit in with the panel?
“I’d never met David before; I’d never met Brian; I’d never met Sinitta. I love Sinitta, she’s like a breath of fresh air. She’s not only beautiful; she’s got the greatest legs! We’ve become good friends and I gave her a jacket that Michael Jackson wore, as a gift.

“When I go out on the panel I know I have to work. I think what you’ve got is four really diverse people here and each one knows what they’re doing and adds to the pot.

“The difference in all of our personalities is what makes this special because each of us is looking for the same thing but in certain ways that are all very different. And that’s how we’re going to find it.”

What do you think the biggest challenge is going to be?
“First of all, we’re looking for English people to do an American accent so we’ve immediately got the challenge of accents. People auditioning in America have it easier – Grease and high school is in their DNA.

“So that’s the biggest challenge – to actually get the sense of America and Americana into a Brit.”

Can you spot if someone has genuine talent very quickly?
“In all honesty, there are some that walk out and you know right away that it’s not them. But there is a certain light, and it comes perhaps once in every 10 people. There was one girl that did not immediately have the look but she came out and transformed herself.

“Both David Ian and I didn’t have to look at each – we knew we were thinking the same thing! That was so exciting. I wish we were surprised more often.
“What I really like is someone that is an everyday, plain person but they may have that certain spark. You don’t have to be beautiful to get the role; you have to make people feel you are beautiful inside.”

In your high school yearbook, what would it read?
“I think I left high school, I ran away. I don’t remember what the yearbook said.”

Have you got a favourite scene or song from the movie?
“I love to hear You’re The One That I Want, because it’s such a wild scene in the movie that number. I just like the music to that – I thought it was really good.”

Do you identify particularly with any of the characters?
“I really don’t because it wasn’t really my era. I grew up in the 60s and Grease was set in the 50s. But I meet and work with so many people from that era.”

What’s the worst audition that you’ve seen?
“I can’t bear it when they sit and tell you that they’re not leaving. I find that repulsive because you’re the judge and they’re the contestant, and they have to take direction. If they can’t take direction to leave the stage how are you going to work with them?

“Only once, so far, has someone actually answered back to me and he was adamant he wasn’t leaving. I just had to say finally ‘It’s over baby! Asta la Vista’. The thing is, I respect everyone who comes in trying their hardest, but they need to respect us as judges.”

What advice would you give contestants?
“I remember I had a cousin (true story) who wanted to be a dancer; to be in a Broadway play. The day of his audition he got ill, but he went in, gave it his all and he got the part.

“That’s my advice for contestants. They need to come in and make the best of their time. Be ready, be focused and, you know, be prepared.”

What are your top five tips for making it as Sandy or Danny?
“Prepare; be natural; make sure vocally you can hit all the notes and stay in tune. Dress the part and, when you’re performing, show confidence. Confidence can only be a plus not a negative.”

Are you enjoying your role?
“I’m loving it; its great fun! I never thought I’d be doing this type of thing, it wasn’t something I really decided to do; I wasn’t planning on becoming a television star in my life. I avoided TV for so long!”