News

Coronation Street spoilers and updates for the week of July 21 tease Lou Michaelis (Farrel Hegarty) pleads guilty, while Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) gets an assault charge.

Kevin (Michael Le Vell) and Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard) learn each other’s secrets, and Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) plants a shocking kiss!

Lou’s Guilty Plea

Sally Metcalfe (Sally Dynevor) takes Joanie (Savanna Pennington) and Shanice Michaelis (Molly Kilduff) to see Lou Michaelis (Farrel Hegarty) in prison, but Brody Michaelis (Ryan Mulvey) does not want to go.

Lou shares her intention to plead not guilty and asks Sally to secure a bank loan for her legal fees; how will Sally respond?

The next day, Lou changes her mind, and Sally and Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) inform Brody that Lou has decided to plead guilty and encourage him to visit his mother.

Later, Sally scolds Joanie for being harsh with Shanice, only to discover...

Coronation Street spoilers for the week of June 2-6 tease hasty exits, stolen kisses and teenage tussles! Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) makes a hasty exit, Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard) steals a kiss, and Dylan Wilson (Liam McCheyne) tussles with Brody Michaelis (Ryan Mulvey).

Hasty Exits

Eileen is set to leave Weatherfield next week, but the main question is whether she will take her partner George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley) along. Eileen shows George and Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas) a Gazette article that suggests they are involved in an insurance scam.

George understands that this could damage the business and informs Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce), but who wrote the article?

Meanwhile, Jason flirts with Danielle Silverton (Natalie Anderson) at The Rovers, and she is taken aback when he reveals that Todd is his brother.

Later, Jason asks Eileen to move to Thailand with him and be his business partner; Eileen is tempted...

Coronation Street spoilers and updates for the week of April 14 tease medical tests, a search for justice, and two women’s revenge! Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) faces medical tests, Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown) searches for justice, and Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan) and Christina Boyd (Amy Robbins) get revenge!

Debbie’s Medical Tests, Carl And Abi’s Clash

Next week, Carl Webster’s (Jonathan Howard) arrival leads to a major conflict with Abi Webster (Sally Carman-Duttine); meanwhile, Debbie maintains an optimistic attitude as she prepares for a challenging journey ahead.

Abi is finding it difficult to share her home with her brother-in-law Carl and demands that he leave so she can spend some quality time with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell).

This is after his chemotherapy treatment; Carl agrees to step out, assuring Kev that he will return to take him to his next session.

Later, when Abi calls Kevin, Carl...

Coronation Street spoilers for the week of April 7 tease seven scandalous scenes will be on fans’ screens. Abi Webster (Sally Carman-Duttine) slugs Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard) Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown) confronts a midwife, Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) flirts and more!

Carl’s Arrival, Abi’s Faux Pas

Kevin Webster’s (Michael Le Vell) behavior takes a downward turn, and things escalate when his wife Abi accidentally hits his brother Carl.

Meanwhile, the relationship between Kevin and his son Jack Webster (Kyran Bowes) remains tense, with Jack infuriated after being grounded by his father. Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall) hopes to reconcile with Kevin, but Kevin is not in a friendly mood.

Glenda Shuttleworth (Jodie Prenger) gets an earful from Kevin when she hesitates to serve him at the Rovers, and when Tyrone arrives, he becomes the target of Kevin’s frustration. Tyrone calls Kevin nasty and selfish, which prompts Kevin to throw a punch.

Coronation Street spoilers for the week of Monday, August 12 tease threats, confrontations and more! Rowan Cunliffe (Emrhys Cooper) makes threats, Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) threatens Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) and more!

Coronation Street Spoilers – Rowan’s Threats

Rowan shares the news of Amy Barlow’s (Elle Mulvaney) investment choice with Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson), only to be taken aback when she dismisses him.

Leanne mentions she’s heading to see her sister Toyah Habeeb (Georgia Taylor) , leaving Rowan anxious about losing his influence over her.

Meanwhile, Nick Tilsey (Ben Price) confesses his love for Toyah and plans to inform Leanne of his feelings.

Just as he’s about to make his move, Rowan threatens him again, demanding the £20,000 investment or he’ll spill everything to Leanne.

Later, Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) invites Leanne to visit him, while Rowan attempts to regain her interest by promoting her to Level 8 at The Institute...

Coronation Street spoilers and updates tease five of next week’s twists and more for the week of June 24. Gemma Winter-Brown (Dolly-Rose Campbell) is arrested, Joel Deering (Calum Lill) is lured into a trap, Stefan Brent (Paul Opacic) backtracks, and more surprising spoilers!

Coronation Street Spoilers: A Desperate Gemma Arrested For Shoplifting

Gemma’s day takes a turn for the worse when her daughter, Carys Winter-Brown, (Lucy and Lily Brown) urgently needs new shoes-even worse, Gemma receives a £70 parking fine in the mail.

Gemma decides to take Carys to the shoe shop to get her feet measured, but the shoes they find are too expensive at £45, leaving Gemma disappointed.

Seizing an opportunity when the staff are distracted, Gemma quickly grabs Carys’s hand and they make a hasty exit without paying for the shoes.

Later, Bernie Winter (Jane Hazlegrove) questions how Gemma managed to afford the shoes, but will Gemma confess to stealing them?...

Coronation Street spoilers and updates tease six explosive twists next week. Nick Tilsey (Ben Price) shares a forbidden kiss, Ken Barlow (William Roache) has a big fall and Abi Webster’s (Sally Carman-Duttine) at the end of her rope!

Coronation Street Spoilers – Nick Tilsey’s Forbidden Kiss, Toyah Battersby’s Secret Spilled

At the Bistro, Toyah is shocked to receive a delivery of yellow roses, which symbolize the loss of her baby daughter Rose. She believes that Rowan Cunliffe, (Emrhys Cooper) who reported her to the police, is responsible for this.

An angry Toyah confronts Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) with the roses and the card, and Leanne confesses that she told Rowan about Rose.

When Nick comes home, he tells Leanne that she must sever all ties with Rowan and the Institute, or their relationship will be over. Despite everything that happens in between, Nick feels guilty after kissing Toyah,...

Coronation Street spoilers and updates for Wednesday, June 5 tease proposals, lawsuits and worries. Joel Deering (Calum Lill) proposes, Rowan Cunliffe (Emrhys Cooper) commences a lawsuit and Nick Tilsey (Ben Price) has worries.

Coronation Street Spoilers – Joel Deering Proposes, But Will Dee-Dee Say Yes?

Will Dee-Dee accept Joel Deering’s proposal? When she confesses her nervousness about meeting Joel’s parents, he cautions that they can be distant at first, but they will grow to love her once they get to know her.

It proves to be a challenging situation with Joel’s parents Anthea (Carol Royle) and Gus Deering (actor name Tba), who openly disapprove of Dee-Dee.

During a visit to the bistro, Ed Bailey (Trevor Michael Georges) meets Joel’s parents, but Anthea’s contempt is evident, and when she condescendingly remarks, Dee-Dee storms out.

Dee-Dee is taken aback when Joel visits her at the corner shop flat and,...

Californication actor takes on Glenn Close role in upcoming West End production to be directed by Trevor Nunn

Rabbits will never look at her in the same way again: Natascha McElhone is to star in the stage adaptation of Fatal Attraction, playing the role that made a star of Glenn Close.

The Californication star will play Alex Forrest, a New Yorker who turns a brief romantic fling into an unhinged affair complete with the infamous episode in which she boils a pet rabbit, when the play premieres at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in March.

James Dearden, who wrote the Oscar-nominated screenplay, is behind the new stage adaptation. Trevor Nunn is set to direct, returning to the West End theatre he temporarily ran three years ago. Close, who starred in Nunn's National Theatre production of A Streetcar Named Desire in 2002, won the first of her three best actress nominations for Fatal Attraction,...

Antony Cotton has won the final of Let's Dance for Comic Relief.

The Coronation Street actor beat theatre star Jodie Prenger to be crowned this year's winner of the BBC dance series.

Cotton received the most votes from the public after his tap dancing performance of 'Anything Goes'.

Judge Frank Skinner quipped after his performance: "It was right up my 42nd Street."

Skinner, Jo Brand and Greg Davies judged the final and gave unanimous praise to all the finalists.

Prenger came second with her performance of 1986 Cameo hit 'Word Up', in which the actress dressed as the funk group's frontman Larry Blackmon.

The other finalists were Tim Vine, The Soapstars, Katherine Ryan and Lee Nelson.

Cotton follows in the footsteps of previous winners Robert Webb, Rufus Hound, Charlie Baker and James Thornton and Rowland Rivron. Rivron won the 2012 series with his performance to Fatboy Slim's 'Weapon of Choice'.

The...

Jodie Prenger and Lee Nelson have made it to the final of Let's Dance for Comic Relief.

Prenger was the first to make it through, having topped the public vote with a routine to the 1986 Cameo hit 'Word Up', in which the actress dressed as the funk group's frontman Larry Blackmon.

Judges Arlene Phillips, Greg James and Lee Mack then had to choose between Vanessa Feltz, who danced to Cher's 'If I Could Turn Back Time' in leotard and fishnet tights, and Nelson, who was joined by Britain's Got Talent stars Twist & Pulse for a hip-hop spin on Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake'. The trio eventually decided to save Nelson.

Newsreaders Ore Oduba and Sonali Shah and ventriloquist Nina Conti received the fewest public votes and were automatically eliminated.

Oduba and Shah performed to the Outkast track 'Hey Ya', while Conti teamed up with her puppet Monk for a gorilla-themed routine...

Digital Spy snuck into BBC Television Centre yesterday (February 28) for an exclusive preview of this week's Let's Dance for Comic Relief performances.

Vanessa Feltz, Lee Nelson and Britain's Got Talent duo Twist and Pulse, ventriloquist Nina Conti and Newsround presenters Ore Oduba and Sonali Shah showed off their moves during last-minute rehearsals for tomorrow's (March 2) show.

Asked to sum up her dance, 51-year-old Feltz promised an "arousing" and "near the knuckle" display, saying: "I'm going to bare almost all my buttocks and thighs and breasts and just everything else I've got going on."

She added: "Lady GaGa's followers, once they've seen me doing this, I'm going to exceed her."

Oduba commented that his dance with Shah would feature "a lot of shaking from downtown" and "thrusting", while Conti - accompanied by her ape acquaintance Monk - predicted that hers would be a "disaster".

"I've never squatted so much in my life,...

Rufus Hound has joined the UK touring production of One Man, Two Guvnors. The former Celebrity Juice comedian will take on the role of Francis Henshall, originally played by James Corden. Hound told Whatsonstage.com: "It's a phenomenal show. I'm kind of pals with James and he got me tickets for it and I spent the whole show thinking, 'God that looks like fun, that would be so much fun to do'. "And then I went and auditioned for [director] Nick Hytner and got a phone call the next day." Owain Arthur, who currently stars as Francis in the West End, will join the touring production for its Welsh dates, while Jodie Prenger will feature in shows at The Lowry in Salford and the Blackpool Grand, according to BBC News. (more)...

Sorry Taylor Swift. Though the “You Belong With Me” singer was at first thought to be a lock to play Éponine in the big-screen adaptation of Les Misérables, the part belongs to Samantha Barks. Universal confirmed with EW that Barks will make her movie debut in Les Mis as Éponine, a role she played on London’s West End from 2010 to 2011.

The actress might not be known to moviegoers stateside, but TV fans across the ocean might be familiar with her work: Barks placed third on the televised British singing competition I’d Do Anything. Barks lost out on the...

Nick Moran has won himself a place in the final of ITV’s Born To Shine.

The 41 year old actor – best known as Scabior in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – competed in the reality TV show this evening having learned to play a grade eight piano piece in just three weeks.

The audience were wowed by his accomplishment, though he insisted that much of the credit was due to his young teacher who plays at a professional level despite her young age.

Also featured on the show were West End singer Jodie Prenger, who performed a rap piece for the judging panel – Denise Van Outen, Jason Gardiner and Kimberley Walsh – and husband and wife duo Angelica Bell and Michael Underwood, who performed a tap dance routine.

At the end of the hour long episode, presenter Natasha Kaplinksy announced that Nick – who also starred in Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking...

Born To Shine kicks off tonight on ITV1, just when you thought that there would be no TV talent shows left this summer!

In aid of charity, the show showcases celebrities who are keen to learn a new skill and talent and members of the oublic will be asked to vote for who they think mastered it best.

On tonight’s show Nick Moran will try his hand at playing the piano, Jodie Prenger will attempt rapping and newlyweds Michael Underwood and Angellica Bell will perform a tap dancing routine.

In a surprise twist the stars will be mentored by some of the UK’s most gifted children, as they learn the new skill.

Each Sunday night, the famous faces will have to perform not just for their young teachers but also for the judging panel consisting of Denise Van Outen and Jason Gardiner. The duo will be joined by...

Candy Cabs has been cancelled by BBC One after one series. The comedy drama, which featured stars including Jo Joyner, Claire Sweeney, Lisa Millett, Jodie Prenger and Denis Lawson, aired three episodes in April. The show, which allegedly took four years to develop, focused on a group of people working at a female taxi company. Candy Cabs' first instalment was watched by around 5.5m viewers, but audiences dropped to just 3.62m (more)...

By Sophie Hall

Saturday Night Entertainment television is very horrible.

Don’t get me wrong. I do not mean in terms of the content, because I love it when Phillip Schofield gets all ‘Prime time’ on me. I merely mean in terms of the pressures they set upon society. Am I Right, Cruel World?

Oh us. The unsuspecting general public, who just like something to watch whilst we sip from mugs. Because sometimes mug sipping is just not enough. Sometimes the mugs are merely empty. (This isn’t a metaphor for the depravity of life, it was a mug-based analysis only.) But nowadays, turning on the television is like reawakening a rubbish school bully who gives your trousers a ‘look’. So many demands and threats are suddenly thrust upon us:

Got to Dance.

Strictly come Dancing.

Do You think you can dance?

and

How Do you solve a problem like Maria?...

Jodie Prenger has claimed that critics of Andrew Lloyd Webber's talent shows make her angry. The I'd Do Anything winner, who is currently helping Webber with his search for Toto, argued that the West End composer had succeeded in his "vision of bringing live theatre" back to the mainstream. "I was so chuffed to hear that Andrew was doing another [TV talent] show. I'm a great supporter of these programmes," she told Digital Spy. "I tried for years to get to the West End. And the Nancy show finally gave me that chance. The programmes showcase so much talent, open so many doors, they fund massive singing events around the country, they fund people through college and most importantly bring a whole new audience to the West End. "There is that stigma about it being a reality TV show, but I can't tell you how many people have (more)...

I'd Do Anything runner-up Jessie Buckley has landed a role in romantic comedy Join My Band. The 20-year-old, who lost out to Jodie Prenger in the 2008 Andrew Lloyd Webber talent show finale, will play rebellious rock-chic Stella in the short film. Buckley, who starred in the West End production of A Little Night Music, will star opposite Max Fowler in the boy-meets-girl (more)...

I’d Do Anything runner up Jessie Buckley has landed her very first movie role.

The 20 year old singer lost the role of Nancy to Jodie Prenger on last year’s reality TV show I’d Do Anything. She has now landed the lead role of Stella in movie Join My Band.

Join My Band is a short film about a boy who starts a band to get a girl. The film tells the story of Steve, a nerdy schoolboy who falls in love with the new girl in school, rebellious rock-chic Stella. As she’s completely oblivious to his feelings, Steve transforms his image to match hers and decides to form a punk-rock band with his friends.

Related posts:i’d Do Anything’s Samantha Barks Lands Cabaret RoleStrictly Come Dancing 2008: Jessie WallaceI’d Do Anything: JessieJessie Wallace Leaves Strictly Come DancingHear’Say’s Noel Sullivan lands role in...

The final five potential Totos in Over The Rainbow have been revealed. Judges Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sarah Fisher, Gerry Cott and previous winner of I'd Do Anything Jodie Prenger will announce the canine finalists in tonight's results show. The programme, which airs on BBC One at 7.15pm, follows the ten dogs that were invited to Lord Webber's house in Sydmonton for selection tests. Staunch cat lover Lord Webber said that his Turkish swimming cats took the invasion in their stride, being "at a superior level of intelligence". The five potential Totos are Pug/Shi Tzu Eddie, 1; Mini Schnauzer Dave, 1; Beagle Spider, 6; English Pointer type/Red Setter Retriever cross breed (more)...

The final 11 dogs competing for the role of Toto on Over The Rainbow have been revealed. Judges Sarah Fisher, Gerry Cott and I'd Do Anything winner Jodie Prenger unveiled their chosen canines on last night's results show. Andrew Lloyd Webber will meet the finalists and select the final five. Viewers will then see the animals in a series of challenges each week, which Webber and the panel will use to decide who should win the prize of performing in a one-off gala performance of The Wizard Of Oz in the West End. Competing for the prize will be 1-year-old Pug/Shi tzu Eddie, 10-year-old (more)...

On last week’s Over The Rainbow, Andrew Lloyd Webber and his panel of judges whittled down the Dorothy hopefuls to just 9. So far we have lost Amy Diamond and Bronte Barbe, we are hoping that wildcard Dorothy Emilie leaves this week, lets be honest, she never should have made to the live shows anyway!

The finalists open the show with a group performance of ‘Ease On Down The Road’ from the 1975 Broadway musical The Wiz. We are still waiting for the girls to attempt songs from Wicked…..or are they banned because this is a production of The Wizard Of Oz? Will there be deadly competition between both versions of Oz? Who knows.

Andrew Lloyd Webber reveals that some of the band couldn’t make it because of that darned volcano! Spare a thought for us kind readers. Unreality TV is liveblogging from a strange flat tonight because we...

Dogs and their owners travelled from far and wide to take part in the auditions for the much sought-after role of Toto this week, to air in the Over The Rainbow results show this Sunday.

The judging panel consisted of resident This Morning animal experts Sarah Fisher and Gerry Cott and winner of I’d Do Anything, host Jodie Prenger. The group had the difficult job of whittling the hundreds of entrants down to a mere ten.

These 10 finalists, will then be invited to appear in front of Andrew Lloyd Webber, who will select five dogs to continue into the competition. Viewers will then see the dogs in a series of tasks over the course of the next few weeks, and Andrew and the Toto panel will decide on the dog who will win the coveted place to appear on stage, in a one-off gala performance of The Wizard Of Oz...

An owner took their dog on a 200-mile round-trip taxi journey for the Over The Rainbow Toto auditions. Canines and their owners attended trials at The Kennel Club building in Warwickshire earlier this week, where they were whittled down to a final 10 by judges Sarah Fisher, Gerry Cott and I'd Do Anything winner Jodie Prenger. Dogs came from Edinburgh, Devon and Neath in Wales to audition for the part of Toto in a one-off gala performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new Wizard Of Oz musical. One pet was booked on a 'wait and return' taxi to the venue, despite living over 100 miles away, (more)...

The BBC has announced the details of ten Over The Rainbow free live events around the UK. Hosted by I'd Do Anything winner Jodie Prenger, the shows will allow thousands of people to take part in musical theatre masterclasses with help from BBC singers and musicians. The dates include two shows in Leeds, Glasgow and Cardiff, and four at London's Shaftesbury Theatre. Contestants who have been knocked out of the Andrew Lloyd Webber reality show, which is hunting for a Dorothy, will appear at the performances. "If you've been singing along on your sofa this is your chance (more)...

Two of the remaining Over The Rainbow hopefuls have speech impediments according to The Sun.

Last week Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and his panel of judges whittled the final 20 down to 10 and the public were allowed to save one more girl. The newspaper reports that at least two of the remaining eleven have lisps, which could cause them problems when singing the signature song ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow.’

A source on the BBC1 show said: “Last week it was easy for the producers to hide the impediments as all the songs were done in groups – so they could be selective on the lines they gave each girl.

“However, tonight the cat will be let out of the bag – when all 11 girls have to sing a solo.

“During rehearsals this week the lisps became more apparent. They’re working hard with vocal coaches. Andrew’s even mentioned sending them to see a specialist.

This May, fans of BBC One’s Over The Rainbow are invited to have a go at singing at a series of free events around the country.

The Over The Rainbow live events will give thousands of participants the chance to take part in their own musical theatre masterclass, with help from the BBC Singers, BBC musicians and some very special guests.

Jodie Prenger (winner of 2008’s I’d Do Anything) will be on hand to offer inspiration and encouragement, and will be joined by some of the ex-Dorothys from the current TV show.

Jodie said: “If you’ve been singing along on your sofa this is your chance to have a go. Whether you’re an enthusiastic amateur or an absolute beginner, we want to get you singing along. So go on – you’ve watched the Dorothys – now it’s your turn to join in!”

The Over The Rainbow...

The BBC must not let itself be used as an advertising billboard for Andrew Lloyd Webber's lucrative West End productions

Whereas television and newspapers have tended to have a hostile relationship – with print fearing the impact of moving pictures on viewers and profitability – TV and theatre have traditionally been close.

The first TV play broadcast was a Pirandello script, and subsequently the BBC and ITV would sometimes screen part of a stage hit (including Osborne's Look Back in Anger) as a combination of cultural reportage and advert. In times of lighter regulation, it was also standard for the BBC to read out details of the latest West End engagements of stars ("Richard Briers and Felicity Kendall are currently appearing at the Apollo Theatre …") over sitcom credits.

All these conventions have now ended but one union between the art forms remains at the heart of the schedules: at the weekend...

Jodie Prenger, who won last year’s BBC competition ‘I’d Do Anything’ made an appearance on Saturday night’s Over The Rainbow.

Showing the Dorothys what it takes to become a West End star, Jodie sang her main Oliver song ‘As Long As He Needs Me.’ We weren’t overly impressed with Jodie’s progress over the last year. Her vocals were as strong as ever but while trying to convey emotions through her facial expressions and movements, she ended up looking terrified and slightly constipated! It seems like her acting skills haven’t improved much at all.

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In a tense and nerve-wracking final part of the audition process, Saturday night’s Over The Rainbow saw the final 20 potential Dorothys being put through their paces before Andrew Lloyd Webber and the panel – Sheila Hancock, Charlotte Church and John Partridge – who had to decide which contestants would make it into the final 10 and take a step closer to fulfilling their West End dreams.

The final ten contestants looks like this:

Jessica Robinson Stephanie Davis Sophie Evans Dani Rayner Steph Fearon Jenny Douglas Bronte Barbe Lauren Samuels Amy Diamond Danielle Hope

At the end of the show, the “wild card” element was announced, giving viewers the chance to vote for their 11th Dorothy who will join the final 10 and compete for the coveted role of Dorothy. The winner of the wild card will be announced during the first live show on 3 April.

Related posts:Over The Rainbow: Watch Jodie Prenger...

Over The Rainbow has been criticised by viewers for advertising Andrew Lloyd Webber's West End musicals. Thee BBC received 17 complaints over the weekend, concerning the promotion of Oliver! and Webber's new show Love Never Dies, according to The Sun. Webber's Phantom Of The Opera sequel opened last month, which apparently led some viewers to question "the timing" of his new BBC One talent show. Other complaints allegedly concerned the appearance of I'd Do Anything winner Jodie Prenger on the show. Prenger performed the show tune 'As Long As He Needs Me' and wished her successor Kerry Ellis good luck in taking over (more)...

Last night we saw the Over The Rainbow judges whittling down their group of hopefuls from thousands to just twenty. On tonight’s installment the panel will reduce the number to just ten and these girls will perform on the live shows starting next week.

As one of their tasks tonight, the girls get to work through a performance with five of the West End’s most well-respected leading ladies – Kelly Ellis (soon to replace Jodie Prenger as Nancy in Oliver!), Ruthie Henshall (currently appearing in Chicago), Sheridan Smith (Legally Blonde), Tamzin Outhwaite (Sweet Charity) and Melanie C (Blood Brothers) – to gain a valuable insight into the life and profession that awaits them when they reach the end of the yellow brick road.

The show opens with our final 20 Dorothys. Well, 21 if you count Graham Norton. (oh, that joke’s old already…yawn) Graham gives us a run-down of the contestants,...

Following the success of How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, Any Dream Will Do and I’d Do Anything, Over The Rainbow reunites host Graham Norton and Andrew Lloyd Webber, who, along with a brand-new panel of experts (Sheila Hancock, Charlotte Church and John Partridge) and BBC One viewers, will choose a Dorothy to perform in the West End production of The Wizard Of Oz next year.

The second show of the new series puts the 20 Dorothy hopefuls through their paces. As one of their tasks (to be seen in tonight’s – Saturday 27 March – show) the girls get to work through a performance with five of the West End’s most well-respected leading ladies – Kelly Ellis (soon to replace Jodie Prenger as Nancy in Oliver!), Ruthie Henshall (currently appearing in Chicago), Sheridan Smith (Legally Blonde), Tamzin Outhwaite (Sweet Charity) and Melanie C (Blood Brothers) – to gain a valuable...

West End star Sheridan Smith cried after watching an audition performance on BBC talent show Over The Rainbow. The Gavin & Stacey comic, who is currently starring in a production of Legally Blonde, appears on the reality series tonight as a mentor to a selection of the final 20 contestants. Smith, Spice Girl Mel C, OIiver! actress Jodie Prenger, Tamzin Outhwaite, Kelly Ellis and Ruthie Henshall offer advice to the West End hopefuls, who are aiming to be chosen for the role of Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd (more)...

Good evening and welcome to Unreality TV’s first live blog for Over The Rainbow, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s latest reality TV show.

Judged by Andrew himself, Charlotte Church, John Partridge and Sheila Hancock, hundreds of female hopefuls will be vying for the role of Dorothy in Lloyd Webber’s West End production of ‘The Wizard Of Oz’ so join me after the jump for opinion, gossip and possibly some jibing at the hopefuls…

And it seems there will be some other famous faces popping up during the show and Mark Linsey, BBC’s controller of entertainment commissioning revealed in BBC’s TV Blog:

On tonight’s show the girls will perform in groups of four, each group with a mentor – a current West End leading lady – Kelly Ellis (soon to replace Jodie Prenger as Nancy in Oliver!), Ruthie Henshall (currently appearing in Chicago), Sheridan Smith (Legally Blonde), Tamzin Outhwaite...

I'd Do Anything winner Jodie Prenger has landed a role in comedy musical Spamalot. The West End star will play the Lady of the Lake in a touring production of the Monty Python Tony Award-winning show. "I've been very lucky to play such a fabulous part as Nancy in Oliver!, and now also to play the fabulous diva called Lady of the Lake - I'm over the Monty moon," (more)...

Following the success of How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, Any Dream Will Do and I’d Do Anything, Over The Rainbow reunites host Graham Norton and Andrew Lloyd Webber, who, along with a brand new panel of experts (Sheila Hancock, Charlotte Church and John Partridge) and BBC One viewers, will choose a Dorothy to perform in the West End production of The Wizard Of Oz next year.

The show transmits with a weekend special on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 March, then the live studio shows start on Saturday 3 April.

Viewers will see thousands of hopefuls turning up at open auditions across the country in Friday night’s show, in a bid to become the newest star of the West End.

As the selection process continues, Saturday’s show will showcase the final 20 “Dorothys” in a studio-based “sing-off”‘ – judged by the panel and Andrew, who will make a selection down to 10 girls.

Jodie Prenger will host the hunt for Toto on Andrew Lloyd Webber's new talent show Over The Rainbow. The I'd Do Anything winner is leading the search for the dog to play the famous role in Webber's West End adaptation of The Wizard Of Oz. Two open auditions for dogs will be held in April, where ten canines will be selected to meet with Webber. "As a cat man, it's been one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do," he joked. "All these Totos have been thrust in my direction." Graham Norton, who will host the main show's search for a Dorothy, said: "The only thing everyone wants to know (more)...

Are you Andrew Lloyd Webber’s next leading lady? Could you be his Dorothy in the new West End production of The Wizard of Oz?

Do you want to follow in the footsteps of previous winners Connie Fisher, Lee Mead and Jodie Prenger? If yes – then you are in luck because the BBC has just opened applications for their newest reality TV show ‘Over The Rainbow.’

Auditions are open to everyone, no matter how much or how little experience you have and nationwide auditions for Dorothy begin in January 2010.

All applicants must have been aged 16 or over by 26 June 2009.

Apply now to book your place...

On Tuesday November 3 London will be brought to life with three sensational free concerts in The City, Regent Street and Oxford Circus, before the World Premiere of Disney’s ‘A Christmas Carol‘, in association with Morrisons, in Leicester Square.

Today the line up was announced of performers helping the stars of Disney’s’A Christmas Carol’ light up London as part of London’s biggest ever coordinated Christmas lights switch on and celebration, London’s Christmas Carol.

At Oxford Circus, where they will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Christmas lights, girl group The Saturdays, and the UK number one artist Taio Cruz will entertain the crowds before Jim Carrey turns on the dazzling lights. Completing the line up will be the stars of the hit West End musical Sister Act which opened at the London Palladium in June 2009.

London indie pop rock band The Noisettes and MTV Europe...

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has confirmed that he scrapped plans for a Wizard Of Oz talent show following a dispute with the BBC. Last month, it was reported that the theatre composer had cancelled the project amid fears that the corporation would be accused of promoting his new musical Love Never Dies. The search for a budding actress to play Dorothy in a stage version of L. Frank Baum's novel was the planned successor to Lloyd Webber's previous BBC shows How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, Any Dream Will Do and I'd Do Anything, which made stars of Connie Fisher, Lee Mead and Jodie Prenger. However, Lloyd Webber has now admitted that the show could not go ahead after he refused to agree to "nonsensical" demands from the BBC. He also hinted that he may decide to work on an ITV version of the programme in the future.

Jodie Prenger, the actress voted to play the lead role of Nancy in Oliver! at the Theater Royal, Drury Lane, has taken a leave of absence from the show. Prenger was chosen through the reality show "I'd Do Anything." According to the theater's website, 'Having suffered a mild illness, on the advice of her doctors, Jodie Prenger will be taking an enforced break from appearing in Oliver! from the 2nd to the 7th March 2009.

I'd Do Anything winner Jodie Prenger has admitted that she was "mortified" by claims that she was "too big" for the role of Oliver!'s Nancy. The 29-year-old feared that she would lose out in the show's final after Andrew Lloyd Webber went public with fears held by the musical's producer Cameron Mackintosh. Prenger had dropped from a size 22 to a size 14 before plucking up the courage to try out for West End roles. Writing in her new book It's A Fine Life: My Story, Prenger explained: "I desperately hoped the winner would (more)...

Walking the boards alongside talent show winner Jodie Prenger as Nancy and Rowan Atkinson as the arch pickpocket Fagin is Torchwood's own Burn Gorman (right) as Bill Sykes and Davros himself Julian Bleach (playing two roles!) in the new production of Oliver in London's West End. While you might already known this, did you know that Cameron Mackintosh's latest production of the musical (last seen in the West End in the mid 1990s) has broken box office records? £15 million was taken in...

The British revival of the West End musical revival "Oliver!" has announced that the first two previews of the show have been canceled due to logistics.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh announced that the previews would be canceled due to the logistics of trying to rehearse with 150 kids. He released a statement saying, "Due to the complexity of the production and the need to safely rehearse 150 children with the adult company of 35 actors on a moving set, we have decided that we need extra rehearsal time and therefore, with great regret, I have decided to cancel the first two previews."

"Licensing regulations require us to have three teams of 50 children, many of whom are on stage for most of the show. Each scene has to be rehearsed three times and, as the set is very large and complicated, it is imperative that they are rehearsed in complete safety."

The show stars Rowan Atkinson as Fagan,...

ITV1 has commissioned Britain's Biggest Loser, a daily weight-loss show based on the original Us format. Loser follows the lives of dramatically overweight people as they undertake a strict diet and exercise regime in order to shed pounds. Participants begin in couples, but ultimately only one person can walk away with the cash prize. A UK version was previously made for Living TV in 2005 and fronted by Vicki Butler-Henderson. It was axed after two series, with eventual I'd Do Anything champ Jodie Prenger winning the second series. The Biggest Loser format has been adapted in 25 different (more)...

John Barrowman has claimed that his I'd Do Anything co-stars lost touch with public opinion this year. The actor admitted that he is proud to have backed the show's winner Jodie Prenger from the start, while his fellow judges Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Macintosh wanted eventual runner-up Jessie Buckley to land the role of Nancy. "It's difficult because you are working with these great geniuses of musical theatre, and, obviously, because I'd come up through that route, there was an aura there," Barrowman told the Daily Mail. "But we clashed over the eventual winner. They thought they were (more)...

Jodie Prenger has vowed to prove to Andrew Lloyd Webber that she is the right choice to play Nancy in the West End revival of Oliver! Prior to Jodie's victory in Saturday night's I'd Do Anything final, judges Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh, a producer on the Lionel Bart musical, both admitted that they would choose Jessie Buckley to take on the role of Nancy. Speaking to Digital Spy, Jodie revealed that she would fight to prove to them that she was the right choice. "They came up to me afterwards and they couldn't have been happier," (more)...