moonstorm
16-02-2011, 10:04
SIMON Cowell is producing a new live lottery-style telly game show that will see contestants win up to £1MILLION, The Sun can reveal.
The X Factor guru, 51, plans to fill an arena with 17,000 potential competitors - who will pay around £1 each for their ticket.
They then go into a draw to win the right to compete in live challenges in the hope of landing the top prize.
Simon has hired Ant and Dec to host the ITV1 show - codenamed "Roulette" - from London's Wembley Arena.
A pilot episode will be filmed in June and bosses hope to turn it into a summer TV "event" lasting over a weekend or even longer.
Ant McPartlin and Declan DonnellyLast night a source said: "It is a big gamble for Simon as it could be telly's biggest ever turkey if it goes wrong.
"This will be one of the most ambitious TV shows ever staged.
"Details are under wraps for now but the idea is that people will pay a small price - say £1 - to get a ticket which will give them a chance of taking part.
"Simon is confident that because millions vote for the X Factor every week they will be prepared to pay."
ITV plumped for the concept after turning down Simon's other big idea - a Top Of The Pops-style music series for Saturdays. Record label Universal Music was already developing a similar format.
The X Factor guru, 51, plans to fill an arena with 17,000 potential competitors - who will pay around £1 each for their ticket.
They then go into a draw to win the right to compete in live challenges in the hope of landing the top prize.
Simon has hired Ant and Dec to host the ITV1 show - codenamed "Roulette" - from London's Wembley Arena.
A pilot episode will be filmed in June and bosses hope to turn it into a summer TV "event" lasting over a weekend or even longer.
Ant McPartlin and Declan DonnellyLast night a source said: "It is a big gamble for Simon as it could be telly's biggest ever turkey if it goes wrong.
"This will be one of the most ambitious TV shows ever staged.
"Details are under wraps for now but the idea is that people will pay a small price - say £1 - to get a ticket which will give them a chance of taking part.
"Simon is confident that because millions vote for the X Factor every week they will be prepared to pay."
ITV plumped for the concept after turning down Simon's other big idea - a Top Of The Pops-style music series for Saturdays. Record label Universal Music was already developing a similar format.