Bosses at ITV are reportedly very keen to find a new project for legendary comedian, Dawn French, after she impressed them so much during her judging role on Superstar, according to the Sun newspaper.

French, who is best known for her leading roles in French and Saunders and The Vicar Of Dibley, won over the audience during the Andrew Lloyd Webber talent show to find the new Jesus in his musical, despite having no previous reality talent show experience.
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So here we are tonight for the final of Superstar and everyone was in their finery – Amanda Holden was dressed like an extra from Starlight Express, Jason had a tux on, Dawn was wearing a lovely sparkly top and Andrew had one too many buttons on his shirt. The opening song this night was Hosanna from Jesus Christ Superstar and it was good to hear the boys sing a song from the show but once again I feel that Roger has the presence to play Jesus but at this point I feel it’s definitely going to be Ben.

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Ben Forster
The Story So Far: Sunderland’s own Ben Forster, a former musical star who got through to boot camp on the X-Factor back in 2009, has impressed throughout the competition. Mel C in particular has praised his honest performances while Andrew Lloyd-Webber has complemented him on his consistency.
Best Performance: Ben’s performance of R.E.M’s Everybody Hurts bought Mel to tears and it made her say that she really wanted to act beside him in the production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Worst Performance: Ben’s performances have universally been praised by the panel however his first night performance of Gotye’s Somebody That I Used to Know was criticised by Andrew as he didn’t think Ben connected with the lyrics.
What are his chances?: Ben is one of only two never to have been part of the sing-off before so he obviously has a lot of audience support and the judges’ unanimous praise also adds to the fact that he goes all the way. I personally think that at the moment he has to be the favourite as the combination of positive comments and viewer votes usually add up to the winner of the show.
My Thoughts: While agree that Ben has been consistent, he really doesn’t do anything for me and I really couldn’t picture him as Jesus. Read more & comment »

There are some programmes that I feel have been talked about for months before they finally appear and Superstar is one of those shows. If you’ve been living under a rock it sees Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber try to find a leading man for his new arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar which already has a big name cast attached to it including Mel C, Tim Minchin and err… Chris Moyles. Despite casting Radio 1′s most notorious DJ, Lloyd-Webber describes the casting process as deadly serious as he could make the career of one of these young men or at least they could follow in the footsteps of Joseph star Lee Mead and marry the female member of the panel, so maybe if their lucky Mel C will be looking for a new man.

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Andrew Lloyd Webber is in the final stages of putting together the judging panel for his new talent search, which will see hopefuls competing for the chance to play the lead role in a new adaptation of hit musical, Jesus Christ Superstar.

And it’s been reported today that he’s keen to land Vicar of Dibley star Dawn French for his panel of experts, and a source close to the show has revealed that she’s close to signing on the dotted line.

The insider told TV Biz, “Andrew is looking for the cream of British acting and showbiz stars for Superstar and Dawn has caught his eye.

“She is outspoken, someone who connects with ordinary people and has years and years of experience.

“It’s early days but she is interested and they have been very taken with her in the initial conversations.”

It’s already been reported that Jason Donovan and former Spice Girl Mel C are lined up for the judging panel of the show, which launches in July… Read more & comment »

Composer Andrew Lloyd-Webber has defected from the BBC in order to begin the search for Jesus on ITV.

He’s not actually looking for the real messiah, but he is after someone who resembles Him and who can sing and act to boot.

May I suggest magician Dynamo? He has facial hair and can walk on water. Made for the role I’d say…

The talent search will lead to one lucky winner being cast in the lead role of a remake of musical, Jesus Christ Superstar. The show is also expected to search for someone to play Judas.

Lloyd Webber himself will be head judge and, it’s thought that Welsh singer Steve Balsamo, who played Jesus in a 1996 version of the musical, is said to be “on board.” Read more & comment »

With his awe-inspiring music, Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the most successful composers ever and has written some of the biggest theatre shows in the world.

This unique, access-all-areas film takes Piers to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Mediterranean hideaway and then back to the West End as he finds out what it’s like to be married to the genius and what it’s like to work for him.

“Lord Lloyd Webber is many things, but national treasure isn’t one of them,” says Piers: “and I want to know why.”

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Andrew Lloyd Webber has today made an impassioned plea to the British nation, asking someone to come forward and sing his new song for next years Eurovision Song Contest.

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