The Stage

BBC1 celebrity show tune move

Published Tuesday 6 September 2005 at 13:45 by Liz Thomas

BBC1 has become the second channel to exploit the popularity of musical theatre with a new entertainment programme for Saturday nights which features celebrities performing popular show tunes.

Andrew Wightman, series producer of Simply Musical, said: “There are currently over 20 musicals playing in the West End, with over four million tickets sold in the first four months of this year - that is more coach parties arriving in London to see a musical than going on package holidays.

“As Ewan McGregor, Minnie Driver and Catherine Zeta Jones are following Madonna’s lead into musicals, its seems the perfect time to bring the glamour and appeal of the big stage to the small screen.”

Doctor Who actor John Barrowman, who is currently starring in A Few Good Men in the West End, has signed up to sing, as has Woman In White’s Ruthie Henshall, singer Mica Paris, one-time S Club 7 member Jon Lee, and Fame Academy coaches David and Carrie Grant. The six will perform songs from hit shows such as Chicago, Les Miserables and Billy Elliot.

Jamaican opera singer Willard White and Les Dennis will also guest star, singing numbers from current productions. The four-part series, expected to be broadcast early next year, will be hosted by different guest presenters including former EastEnder Jill Halfpenny and Aled Jones. The show will also feature interviews with the current stars of musical theatre.

Simply Musical follows the success of Channel 4’s Musicality and shows such as the Corporation’s celebrity-based Strictly Come Dancing.