ITV have revealed that they will allow both women and men to audition for their new TV talent show ‘Superstar’.

The show will focus around Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hunt for a singer who can take on the lead role of Jesus in his hit rock opera, which will go on an arena tour around the UK when the series ends.

It had of course been assumed that producers of the show would be trying out male singers for the role, as obviously Jesus has generally been played by male performers to date.

However, today it has been confirmed that applications are open to women also, as the channel plan to cast their net far and wide in their hunt for talent.

A source told The Sun: “Andrew wants to create the best performance he can and if that means hiring a woman to be Jesus then so be it.

“For him it’s all about the talent.”

The move is sure to cause controversy with religious groups all over Britain, as the show did when it was first released in the 70′s.

It isn’t the first time the series – due to start on ITV this summer – has been controversial either. Just last month, original lyricist Tim Rice admitted that he was against using the show as the centre piece of a reality TV series and claimed that he may veto the choice of star when it ends.

He claimed that he had made his concerns known to Jesus Christ Superstar composer Andrew, but was in the end ignored as he penned a deal with ITV.

It is reported that Lloyd Webber will be joined on his judging panel by Steve Balsamo, who previously played Jesus in a West End revival of the show in the 90′s and also, possibly by former X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger.

Auditions for ‘Superstar’ will take place in various locations around the UK next month and you can get more details on the tryouts and apply for the ITV show here.

Also, don’t forget, if you are trying out for this or any other TV show, we have a busy auditionees forum where hopefuls share tips, advice and information with one another and also chat about their behind the scenes experiences. You can join up or have a browse here.

Do you approve of ITV’s decision to audition both men and women for the role of Jesus? Leave your comments below and be sure to follow our Superstar twitter account here.

View the original post ITV to audition both women and men for Andrew Lloyd Webber ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ show on Unreality TV

Matthew Wolfenden has revealed that he has injured himself yet again, during Dancing On Ice rehearsals.

The Emmerdale actor is the front runner in this year’s batch of stars on the rink, however he is worried about his routine this weekend as he badly hurt his back during his practice sessions this week.

The hunk took to Twitter on Thursday night and told his followers:

“Had to cut skating rehearsal short by over an hour today!. I’ve either pulled a muscle or trapped a nerve in my back! Whichever it is…… I can hardly stand up straight, never mind skate! I’m in agony! #owch.”

However later in the evening he addressed his worried fans and told them that his back would be ‘fine’, especially after some special physiotherapy sessions.

He added:

“My back is fine.. Really.. Just a trapped nerve, that sort of pain where you can’t straighten up! Physio tomorrow, and will hopefully be able to get back on ice for rehearsals before the big show! #lotsofpainkillers.

“I’ll be skating Sunday, even if I have to put skates on my hands and do it upside down… I will be skating!!!”

Matthew won’t have an easy time of it this weekend, as he and his partner Nina face an on ice duel with Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter and her partner Matt Evers.

The four skaters will perform different routines, to the same music and the judges will grant one couple immunity from elimination.

View the original post Dancing On Ice 2012: Matthew Wolfenden injures his back during rehearsals on Unreality TV

Sir Tim Rice has hit out at his long time friend and collaborator Andrew lloyd Webber, for his plans to stage a new TV reality TV show around their hit musical ‘Jesus Christ Superstar.’

It was announced last week that the composer had joined forces with ITV and would soon be starting auditions, to find a male singer and actor who could take on the lead role in a new arena tour of the stage show.

Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice and the latter revealed that he has made his dissatisfaction with the idea of it being given TV treatment clear to Andrew, however it appears that his objections have been overlooked.

“I’ve had several meetings with Andrew and said that I don’t want this done but now it appears it’s been signed and sealed,” he told The Sun.

The star – also responsible for shows such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, and The Wizard of Oz – went on to claim that he hates how ‘downmarket’ TV talent shows have become and while he supports the idea of an arena tour, he doesn’t think it needs to be preceded by the TV series.

Rice continued:

“Andrew wants to rehash things all the time but I don’t think Superstar needs that tasteless reality television treatment. Those shows are relentlessly downmarket which is fine if the show is a lightweight bit of fluff.

“I am fully behind an arena show but I just don’t think you need another television series to do that.”

“It sounds tacky and I really don’t think Andrew should do it.”

Tim may hold the final ace though, as he explained that in the end, Lloyd Webber will have to get his approval as he has the power of veto and can refuse to allow the person chosen on the ITV show, to take part in the tour. Rice explained:

“They can’t cast the show without my approval. I have the right to veto casting. So if Andrew casts it on TV and I didn’t like the person, I could say so.”

Auditions for ‘Superstar’ will start next month and Andrew will be joined by the acclaimed Steve Balsamo – who took on the role of Jesus in the re-make of the show back in the mid-90s.

It has been claimed that X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger will also sit on the panel and may be cast in the role of Mary Magdalene for the tour.

Auditions for ‘Superstar’ will take place in various locations around the UK next month and you can get more details on the tryouts and apply for the ITV show here.

If you are trying out for this or any other TV show, we have a busy auditionees forum where hopefuls share tips, advice and information with one another and also chat about their behind the scenes experiences. You can join up or have a browse here.

Lastly, get all the latest Superstar news and join in the chat, on Facebook and Twitter!

View the original post Tim Rice threatens to ruin Andrew Lloyd Webber and ITV’s Jesus Christ Superstar series on Unreality TV

Andrew Lloyd Webber is bringing his search for new talent to ITV this summer and will be on the lookout for the star of his West End hit, Jesus Christ Superstar.

The musical genuis will be touring the UK starting next month, looking for hopefuls to take on the role and we have the details of how you can apply to audition for the ‘Cats’, ‘Phantom Of The Opera’ and ‘Starlight Express’ mastermind.

Andrew has left the BBC and will give his new search for talent an X Factor feel when it debuts on the commercial channel and this year, instead of taking the lead on a West End show, the winner will instead take central stage in an arena tour of the musical, performing to crowds of tens of thousands around the country.

If you are male, aged 18 and over and available to audition between Thursday 16th February 2012 to Saturday 10th March 2012, then you can apply for the show. It is open to everyone, amateurs and professionals, and if you make it through the initial rounds, you will pass onto a bootcamp and then hopefully judges houses, before finding out if you have made the live shows.

Auditions will take place in Belfast, Dublin, Cardiff, Manchester, London and Glasgow and you can apply by filling in this form.

Also, don’t forget, if you are trying out for this or any other TV show, we have a busy auditionees forum where hopefuls share tips, advice and information with one another and also chat about their behind the scenes experiences. You can join up or have a browse here.

Lastly, get all the latest Superstar news and join in the chat, here.

View the original post Apply to audition for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Superstar in Belfast, Dublin, Cardiff, Manchester, London or Glasgow on Unreality TV

David Hasselhoff looks at home already!

David Hasselhoff has confirmed that he will not be judging on Britain’s Got Talent when it returns next year.

Reports emerged in October that the Baywatch star had been sacked by ITV bosses, who didn’t think he came across well on last year’s series of the reality TV show.

However no official announcements were made until the star revealed the news himself today. He wrote on his website:

“So it’s official. I’m not coming back to Britain’s Got Talent. So if you want to see me live come check me out in Bristol as Hoff the Hook in Peter Pan XXX.”

“Thanks to everyone who supported me on my Britain’s Got Talent days. Nothing but fond memories of the cast and crew and thanks to Simon Cowell.”

Comedian Michael McIntyre won’t be on the panel either and announced his decision to step down as a judge recently, claiming that he wants to concentrate on his stand up tour in 2012.

Reports have emerged, suggesting that former X Factor judge Dannii Minogue will replace one of the men and sources claim that the Australian star has gotten as far as sorting out timetables and dates with show bosses.

However, she is continuing to deny all knowledge of the talks and tweeted:

“BGT headlines – all news to me. Planning to be back on UK TV soon so hold tight.”

It has also been claimed that both David Walliams and Samantha Womack are possible BGT judges and Amanda Holden confirmed this week that although she will be heavily pregnant, she is planning to attend the ITV auditions in a few months time.

View the original post David Hasselhoff confirms that he was sacked from Britain’s Got Talent on Unreality TV

Janet Devlin showed a slightly different side to herself on The Xtra Factor last week, when she broke out her new guitar and gave a short backstage performance.

The 17 year old singer was given the new instrument for her birthday on the show the previous week and had promised to use it for a little acoustic performance.

On Sunday night she broke it out, for a rendition of OutKast’s Hey Ya and she was joined in the chorus by her fellow contestants Misha B and Amelia Lily.

We love Janet on the main show, but at times have agreed with Gary Barlow when he criticised Kelly Rowland for making her too boring. This short and sweet performance showed just how the talented teen can sing upbeat and slightly more entertaining songs, if she is allowed to choose them herself.

Have a listen below and let us know what you thought of the ladies’ little song.

View the original post X Factor: Janet Devlin, Amelia Lily and Misha B perform ‘Hey Ya’ on Xtra Factor (VIDEO) on Unreality TV

I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! is back which can mean only one thing… the time has come for a brand new cast of celebrities to head down under and battle it out in TV’s toughest challenge.

Leaving their plush pads and luxuries far behind, our celebrity campers will spend up to three weeks taking on the harsh surroundings of the Australian jungle, with a whole host of brand new nasty surprises created just for them.

This year, the I’m a Celebrity team have pulled out all the stops to ensure this is the most talked about series yet.

Last year’s highlights included Gillian McKeith’s antics during her Bushtucker Trails, Nigel Havers walking out of camp and Stacey Solomon being crowned Queen of the Jungle… but who will be begging for our votes this year?

Whoever does end up in the terrifying and legendary jungle camp will find themselves cut off from the outside world and praying the public doesn’t send them straight into a dreaded Bushtucker Trial.

It’s a brand new cast with a brand new set of challenges and all in HD. As always, our BAFTA award winning hosts Ant and Dec, are back to present all the big stories live from the jungle every night.

The new series starts on ITV1, Sunday 13 November at 9pm. Are you excited? Who would you like to see going in? Leave your comments below.

View the original post I’m A Celebrity….Get Me Out Of Here 2011 starts next Sunday! on Unreality TV

It seems that all is not well behind the scenes of The X Factor.

The show judges have been accused of faking rows and rivalry on the ITV show, in a bid to up it’s ratings. However speaking to heat magazine, a source claimed that the feud between Kelly Rowland and Tulisa Contostavlos is very real.

They admitted that while the ladies used to be friendly on set, when the live shows started and Kelly began meddling with Tulisa’s acts, things quickly got ‘frosty’ between the pair.

“Tulisa and Kelly used to get on really well, but when Kelly started to come into Tulisa’s dressing room and suggest songs and styling for her acts it created a weird vibe. Tulisa thought it was odd and when that got back to Kelly it all turned sour and now things are very frosty,” the insider said.

They added:

“Tulisa stands by what she said about Misha – why shouldn’t she talk about what goes on backstage? Just because it was honest and not very positive, everyone’s complaining. Tulisa had Little Mix in her dressing room twice in floods of tears because Misha had been so horrible to them – she felt people should know. It seems like Kelly doesn’t get that the show is a panto, she’s taking things way too far.”

It sounds to us like that so called ‘insider’ may actually be Louis Walsh!

Do you think Tulisa is right to stand her ground, or should the girls put their differences behind them and start concentrating on their contestants? Leave your comments below.

Also, check out the details of this week’s X Factor theme and possible song choices here.

View the original post X Factor: Things are ‘frosty’ between Tulisa Contostavlos and Kelly Rowland on Unreality TV

Amelia Lilly, who was eliminated from ITV’s X Factor last Sunday by mentor, Kelly Rowland, has spoken out in defence of former contestant, Kitty Brucknell, who got through to the next stage.

Amelia, who was Rowland’s sacrificial lamb from the girls category, has said that Kitty, who was booed by the audience after being saved by over 25′s mentor, Louis Walsh, ‘deserved’ her place in next week’s live shows.

Amelia – who herself was devastated to be dropped from the ITV show – told Digital Spy: “Obviously with Kitty, she’s a complicated character and people either love her or hate her. But you know what? That girl has a voice on her.

“She’s born to be on that stage. She’s 26 and she’s worked and worked to get where she is now.

“I think she’s an inspiration for many young girls. She’s wanted this for so long.”

The 16 year old Christina Aguilera look-a-like said that she and OTT Brucknell shared a warm heart to heart moment after the show and said “She told me she saw me as a bit of a threat, but last night after the show ended, she came up to me and opened up her heart.

“Kitty said, ‘Amelia, you are everything that I want to be’. Hearing something like that from a 26-year-old woman is, ‘Wow’. It’s inspiring. I wish them all the best of luck. They are all absolutely amazing.”

We have started a poll, to see if you Unreality TV readers can once again, correctly predict this weekend’s X Factor result. Cast your vote here!

View the original post X Factor: Amelia Lilly defends Kitty Brucknell on Unreality TV

With the countdown to live X Factor finals well and truly underway, and the nation just about getting used to the new judging panel, if rumours are to be believed then we are in for one more almighty shake up!

Today, supposed sources have suggested that when it comes to the live shows, one of the existing judges will be replaced by previously axed Cheryl Cole.

It has been widely publicised that Cowell has regretted his decision to axe Cheryl from the X Factor US, forcing the Geordie beauty to cut all ties with the show out of principle, and it has even been suggested that she was offered “a lot of money to go back as a hero” by Cowell but that “it didn’t work out”.

However, since the audition stages have been broadcast on TV, it has been said that Cheryl has become obsessed with the show, even going as far as comparing ratings from each episode this year against last year when she was on the show, and that she wants to come back.

Louis Walsh had publicly declared his loyalty to Cheryl before this years auditions got under way saying that he would be “100% behind” Cole’s return to The X Factor.

The source stated:”It’s no secret that Cheryl was Simon’s golden girl,” the source continued. “If she came back, it would be with a huge fanfare. Of course, if they announced that Cheryl was coming back, there would be immediate worries that she would be replacing someone.”

Immediate speculation over who Cheryl would be replacing seem to point directly at N-Dubz’ Tulisa Contostavlos, who had previously said that she “could have become Britain’s most hated woman for replacing Cheryl”, adding that “her support made all the difference”. She had also previously suggested that she would be fired if Cole returned to the programme.

The source added: “There have been several conference calls and ideas have been discussed. Both Simon and Cheryl are aware that such a return would be huge for the ratings. It would be a massive story. Simon isn’t afraid of making headline-grabbing changes to the show.”

Would you support Cheryl replacing Tulisa on the live shows, or are you happy with the new judging panel as it is?

Tulisa will be filming her judges houses segment of the show this week, with Jessie J. Check out some of the acts she’ll be choosing between here and let us know if you think she chose the right groups.

View the original post X Factor 2011: Cheryl Cole to return as judge and replace Tulisa Contostavlos on live finals? on Unreality TV