Andrew appears on American Idol

In spring 2008, Andrew made a guest appearance on the No. 1 rated US television show _American Idol_, acting as a mentor to six performers vying for the chance to win the series and become America’s next singing superstar.

Andrew’s appearance on the show – which was broadcast in the USA on FOX on 22nd April and in the UK on ITV2 on 24th April 2008 – saw contestants Syesha Mercado, David Archuleta, Carly Smithson, Brooke White, Jason Castro and David Cook perform several of his hits during ‘Andrew Lloyd Webber Week’.

The performers worked on tracks from shows including _The Phantom of the Opera_, _Starlight Express_, _Jesus Christ Superstar_ and _Cats_. Andrew was on hand to guide them through their song choices from the set of hit show _Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular_ at the Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas.

The results show, aired in the USA on 23rd April and in the UK on 25th April 2008, saw all six contestants perform ‘All I Ask of You’ accompanied by Andrew. Carly Smithson, who performed ‘Superstar’ from _Jesus Christ Superstar_, was revealed as having lost the public vote.

Andrew made a later return to the _American Idol_ set, coaching finalists David Archuleta and David Cook during the show’s final week. He was the first mentor in the history of _American Idol_ to make a return appearance on the series, working on three songs with each of the two finalists at Henson Studios in LA.

David Cook, who performed iconic Phantom track ‘Music of the Night’ during Andrew Lloyd Webber Week, went on to win the series.