ITV have today announced the lineup of their judging panel for their newest reality show ‘Grease Is The Word’.

Putting his reputation on the line judging the potential hopefuls, as well as producing the eventual winners in the new West End show, is renowned theatre producer David Ian. Joining David on the judging panel is; I’m A Celebrity favourite, multimillionaire American showbiz impresario and producer David Gest, American choreographer Brian Friedman and The X Factor mentor, 80’s pop icon and West End star in her own right Sinitta (Mutiny, Hair, What A Feelin’).

David Ian said of taking part in the series, “I’m absolutely thrilled and delighted to be working with ITV on this project looking for a brand new Danny and Sandy for the West End production of Grease. It’s so exciting to be looking for genuine new UK talent to fill the boots of John Travolta and Olivia Newton John and to perform in one of the greatest musicals of all time.”

Presenting the show for ITV1 is presenter and self confessed Grease superfan Zoe Ball and Holly Willoughby will be getting all the backstage gossip and behind the scenes action for ITV2’s spin off show, Greased Lightnin’.

Of presenting the news series Zoe Ball said, “I remember seeing Grease for the first time when I was 7 years old and I loved it. I learnt all the songs off by heart, and I just wanted to be one of the pink ladies at Rydell High, they were so cool! I’ve watched Grease over and over since that special day when I queued for ages outside the cinema, and I am just as hopelessly devoted to it now as I was back then. So you can imagine how delighted I am to be presenting Grease Is The Word – it’s so exciting, I can’t wait to be a part of it!”

Preliminary auditions have been held across the country and thousands of hopefuls have applied in a bid to win one of these infamous roles. Auditionees must prove that not only are their singing, dancing and acting skills up to the job, but that ultimately they can reprise the sizzling chemistry of Grease’s most famous leads John Travolta and Olivia Newton John.

The Sandy and Danny wannabes are set to be put through their paces, all hoping to secure themselves a place at “Bootcamp”. Then over the course of three days the hopefuls will be whittled down to just eight couples who will go forward to the live stages of the show and the public vote. Only one couple will make it through to take to the stage in the West End production.

Co-produced by talkbackTHAMES and Simon Cowell’s production company Syco TV the series will air on ITV1 from April with the access all areas show Greased Lightnin’ airing on ITV2.

The new West End production of Grease will be produced by Paul Nicholas and David Ian and will open in July. Tickets go on sale from the end of March.