ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER WELCOMES DAWN FRENCH AND JASON DONOVAN ONTO HIS LIVE SHOW JUDGING PANEL

AMANDA HOLDEN CONFIRMED AS SUPERSTAR HOST FOR THE ITV STUDIOS PRODUCED SERIES

ADDITIONAL GUEST ARTISTS WILL JOIN THROUGHOUT THE LIVE SHOWS

Following this week’s Jesus Christ Superstar UK Arena Tour casting announcement, ITV1 and Andrew Lloyd Webber today announce further details about Superstar and the forthcoming televised live shows in the Summer.

All live show finalists in the series, produced by ITV studios, will be battling it out on stage to sing the title role of Jesus in the first ever UK arena tour of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary Jesus Christ Superstar.  This new rock production will play in arenas nationwide in the Autumn and demands not only the highest vocal standards but also someone that can act and captivate massive arena audience.

Andrew Lloyd Webber, with the assistance of David Grindrod, Melanie C and Jason Donovan, have now finished the nationwide audition tour which also included vocal and performance challenges.

Superstar host Amanda Holden (Britain’s Got Talent, Cutting It, The Grimley’s), has been on hand for all the auditionees throughout the latter stages of the search getting to know each of their personalities.

“It’s an absolute honour to be working with Andrew on Superstar.  We’ve discovered some wonderful talent for the viewers, I already feel very protective of them, I’m like Mother Hen with all my boys!” said Amanda Holden

Also confirmed today are British actress, writer and comedy legend, Dawn French (Jam & Jerusalem and The Vicar of Dibley) and award winning singer, actor, Jason Donovan (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Priscilla) who will be joining Andrew on the live show judging panel.

Comedienne Dawn French said “I’m gagging to find Jesus with the help of the Good Lord.  I have actually been searching for him my whole life, and I can’t believe that inside a few weeks we are going to find him.  The fact that he is going to be a Rock God is a massive bonus.”

Jason Donovan who has made his mark already on Superstar by assisting Andrew in the early stages of the competition moves to a judging seat next to Andrew and Dawn. Melanie C, who will take on the role of Mary Magdalene in the arena tour, will continue to support the judges during the live shows.

“We have unearthed some cracking talent so far and I’m really pleased I’ve had time to get to know the finalists as we’ve moved through the competition stages.  It’s an honour to sit by Andrew on the judging panel and I can’t wait for the live shows to start” said Jason Donovan

Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “The prize of this talent search has to be the biggest of any reality show ever.  The winner will be part of a star cast including Tim Minchin, Mel C and Chris Moyles playing in arenas up and down the country.  I am thrilled with the finalists I have chosen to put through to the live shows, they could not be a more varied bunch.  Viewers will have some really exciting performances to look forward to.”

The live show judges will offer their opinions to each of the finalists on stage as they battle it out to win the votes of the British public. The various special guest artists will also be invited to offer their opinions on the contenders.

The winner’s prize will be the leading role in a new arena tour of the legendary Jesus Christ Superstar which will open at London’s O2 arena on 21st September.

Casting for the UK Arena Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar was announced this week, with Tim Minchin, Melanie C and Chris Moyles joining the Superstar winner onstage. Tickets for the tour go onsale from 9am today, Friday 18th May. For more information on the tour, including dates and venues, click here.

Superstar is executive produced by Peter Davey with Katharine Begg as series producer.

Superstar is an ITV Studios production for ITV1.