BBC to Premiere New Saturday Night Talent Competition Show

LONDON, December 21: Next year, BBC One will debut I’d Do Anything, a new Saturday night talent competition show that searches for the next stars of the British musical Oliver!

I’d Do Anything will be hosted by Graham Norton, who will be joined by musical theatre titans Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh. Alongside Lloyd Webber, a select panel of judges will preside over the weekly show in an attempt to discover new talent for the role of Nancy in the musical Oliver!, as well as three young prot駩s who will take turns in playing the orphaned urchin Oliver. Auditions for the roles of Nancy and Oliver will begin in early 2008.

I’d Do Anything is produced by BBC Vision for BBC One. The new show follows previous Saturday night successes like How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and Any Dream Will Do.

Elaine Bedell, the BBC’s controller of entertainment commissioning, said: “We’re really pleased to be building on the success of Any Dream Will Do with a new search for West End stars next year. “Oliver! is a much-loved British musical, so we’re sure the show will unite families and melt hearts across the U.K. as we watch some of Britain’s best new talent take center stage.”

—By Irene Lew