Lloyd Webber wishes Ian success with reality talent search

Published Wednesday 20 December 2006 at 17:35 by Alistair Smith

Andrew Lloyd Webber has moved to play down talk of rivalry between his forthcoming BBC TV series Any Dream Will Do and David Ian show You’re the One That I Want, which will be screened on ITV.

The two producers worked to together on the original BBC musical theatre talent hunt How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? but have gone their separate ways on their latest projects, which look set to compete against each other for both ratings and ticket sales in the new year.

Lloyd Webber’s show will cast the lead for a revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, while Ian’s will aim to discover the leading man and lady for a West End production of Grease.

Lloyd Webber commented: “I wish David Ian and Grease every success with this new venture. It’s great for musical theatre and the West End.

“I am absolutely delighted that following the success of BBC1’s How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria, there will be two prime time television shows in 2007 introducing musical theatre to new and younger audiences.

“The quality displayed by the Maria finalists and the discovery of the remarkable Connie Fisher proves the enormous wealth of untapped talent we have in the UK.”