Perdita
18-02-2010, 17:36
The BBC has revealed the judging panel for its Andrew Lloyd Webber talent show Over The Rainbow.
Singer Charlotte Church, EastEnders star John Partridge and actress Sheila Hancock will join Webber in the search for a Dorothy to star in a new West End production.
Over The Rainbow, which will be hosted by Graham Norton, is expected to air next month on BBC One.
"Each member of the panel brings something new and exciting which will take Over The Rainbow even further than the previous shows," said Webber.
"We have a fantastic wealth of talent within our judges, and I know they're going to be bringing some incredibly valuable expertise and opinions in our search for Dorothy."
Soap star Partridge said: "Musical theatre has been always been my first love - it's where I began my career - so I'm hugely excited to be joining the panel. I can't wait to work with Andrew again and see what talent the country has to offer'.
Church described Webber as an "icon" in the music industry and a personal "hero". "My career started with 'Pie Jesu', which was of course written by Andrew, so it feels like I've come full circle," she said.
Hancock added: "I've had such an interesting and varied career and I'm so looking forward to working with the panel and Andrew to seek out some fantastic new talent."
BBC One controller Jay Hunt added: "It is hard to find a team of judges who can match Andrew Lloyd Webber in terms of enthusiasm, knowledge and a love of musical theatre but I think we have got them here - they are going to be a huge asset to the show."
Auditions for the programme have already taken place in Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast, Manchester and London.
Singer Charlotte Church, EastEnders star John Partridge and actress Sheila Hancock will join Webber in the search for a Dorothy to star in a new West End production.
Over The Rainbow, which will be hosted by Graham Norton, is expected to air next month on BBC One.
"Each member of the panel brings something new and exciting which will take Over The Rainbow even further than the previous shows," said Webber.
"We have a fantastic wealth of talent within our judges, and I know they're going to be bringing some incredibly valuable expertise and opinions in our search for Dorothy."
Soap star Partridge said: "Musical theatre has been always been my first love - it's where I began my career - so I'm hugely excited to be joining the panel. I can't wait to work with Andrew again and see what talent the country has to offer'.
Church described Webber as an "icon" in the music industry and a personal "hero". "My career started with 'Pie Jesu', which was of course written by Andrew, so it feels like I've come full circle," she said.
Hancock added: "I've had such an interesting and varied career and I'm so looking forward to working with the panel and Andrew to seek out some fantastic new talent."
BBC One controller Jay Hunt added: "It is hard to find a team of judges who can match Andrew Lloyd Webber in terms of enthusiasm, knowledge and a love of musical theatre but I think we have got them here - they are going to be a huge asset to the show."
Auditions for the programme have already taken place in Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast, Manchester and London.