After reading an article in The Mirror today, I am beginning to seriuosly wonder about Denise Van Outen’s judging skills on the new BBC Tv series Any Dream Will Do.

The Mirror is carrying an article giving Denise’s and fellow judge, Zoe Tyler’s opinion on each of the shows finalists. Zoe is concerned by the mens acting and singing skills and makes comments such as: Read more & comment »

There are now 10 finalists left as legendary composer and producer Andrew Lloyd Webber and his panel continue their quest to find a new Joseph. In the third live show, the remaining hopefuls take to the stage to prove that they have the drive, determination and sheer, unadulterated talent to land one of the best-loved roles in musical theatre.

In the presence of Lloyd Webber and his esteemed panel of experts – Broadway and West End leading lady Denise van Outen, celebrated theatre producer Bill Kenwright, Torchwood star John Barrowman and outspoken vocal coach Zoe Tyler – the West End wannabes battle it out to prove that they have the charisma and star quality worthy of the Technicolor™ Dreamcoat.

Graham Norton hosts as the Josephs give it everything they’ve got to win this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to star in the West End. Once the panel have given their expert opinion, viewers are able to vote for their favourite. Whose dreams will be shattered? And who will still have the chance to be the public’s Joseph?

Later this evening at 9.45pm on BBC One, viewers can find out which Joseph has been voted off by the public, and which Josephs survive to perform in next week’s live show.

Saturday 28 April
7.30-8.35pm BBC ONE
9.45-10.10pm BBC ONE

Denise Van Outen has spoken to The Sunday Mirror and dismissed her rival ITV show, Grease Is The Word, as a cheap copycat.

“We’re the genuine show. Loads of people on these shows say they’ve got a panel of experts, but we’re the only one that actually has,” Denise told the Sunday Mirror.

“Andrew IS the West End. He’s had so many hits behind him. And of course John, Zoe and Bill have done every show there is. I’ve done five West End shows, but compared to those guys I’m the least qualified. So that puts it into perspective.” Read more & comment »

Denise Van Outen has revealed to The Sun that she is delighted to be working on BBC reality show, ‘Any Dream Will Do’ with Jason Donovan as she had a massive crush on him during his time in Joseph.

‘I had such a crush on Jason Donovan,’ she told The Sun. ‘I remember seeing him in Joseph when I was about 18 and thinking: “Cor!”

‘So I’m very excited he’ll be on the show as an expert. He’s lovely. I know him from years ago, but I have to say, he’s very happy with his wife and kids.’

Only 100 boys make it to the London call backs and, this time, the Joseph wannabes have to prove their worth in front of Any Dream Will Do’s panel of judges. John, Denise, Bill and Zoe tested the boys on both their musical theatre and pop ability before whittling the numbers down to just 50.

This proved a massive test for both types of singers. Vocal coach Zoe is charged with the task of turning boyband boys into theatre singers and stretching the range of the musical theatre lads to include pop in just a short time at Joseph School.

The question the panel have to ask themselves about each boy is: can it be done in time? Have the panel seen anybody with star quality yet? And did nerves get the better of them?

“You can’t afford to be nervous when you’re getting on stage in the West End,” says Denise, star of Chicago on Broadway and in the West End. She also played the leading lady in Tell Me On A Sunday, so should know a thing or two about the process.

“People have no idea about what it takes to audition and perform on stage,” she says. “It’s really tough and shows like Maria and Any Dream Will Do reveal the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.”

Denise Van Outen is one of Britain’s foremost TV presenters and stage actresses. She was born in Basildon, Essex and attended the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School.

As a youngster she appeared in the chorus of Les Miserables and in her teenage years had brief roles on a number of television dramas including Kappatoo.

Denise joined The Big Breakfast on Channel 4 as a weather and travel reporter in 1995, and landed the main co–presenting role in 1997. It proved to be her big breakthrough, with her famous chemistry with Johnny Vaughan taking audience figures to record levels.

She first played Roxie Hart in Chicago at London’s Adelphi Theatre in April 2001. Despite being unknown in the United States, Denise reprised her role on Broadway for five weeks in the Spring of 2002, to ecstatic reviews. She returned to the London version of the show in April 2002.

In 2003, she returned to the London stage in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s one-woman show Tell Me On A Sunday at the Gielgud Theatre, in a role that was specially rewritten for her. She was a huge success and the show ran for nearly a year before embarking on a ten-month UK tour in 2004.

Denise has also co-presented ITV1’s This Morning, been a lead character in ITV drama Where The Heart Is and hosted Channel 4’s The Friday Night Project. She has also appeared in several films, including the role of Maureen in the crime comedy Love, Honour And Obey.

A new TV talent search to find the next stars of the musical Oliver! will begin this week on BBC One.

I’d Do Anything will be looking to find an actress for the role of Nancy and three young actors who will take turns as Oliver in the Lionel Bart musical.

Graham Norton will again host the show after leading previous searches for the stars of Joseph and The Sound of Music.

Auditions will begin in early 2008 and the programme will be broadcast on BBC One later in the year.

Norton will be joined by Andrew Lloyd Webber for the programme along with Barry Humphries, John Barrowman and Denise Van Outen. Read more & comment »

Denise Van Outen will be a judge on this years BBC show, ‘Any Dream Will Do.’

Denise turned down the chance to judge on last years ‘How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria’ in order to go to the States and present Grease, You’re The One That I Want.

She is said to be thrilled about her role in the search for a new Joseph.