Andrew to help BBC find Oliver!

BBC ONE ANNOUNCES ITS SEARCH FOR STARS OF OLIVER!

Saturday nights will stir to the strains of “Consider Yourself” and “Oom-Pah-Pah” when BBC ONE raises the roof in its search for stars for the much loved, timeless British musical Oliver!.

In _I’d Do Anything_ the challenge is on to find a new talent for the role of Nancy and a total of three young protégés who will take it in turns to play orphaned urchin Oliver.

Again, Graham Norton will host the proceedings and be reunited with Andrew Lloyd Webber who is back on his throne and, this time, the show will involve another titan of musical theatre, Cameron Mackintosh. Alongside Andrew, a select panel of judges will preside over the weekly show trying to discover those special people with incredible singing and acting talents, whose destiny lies on a west end stage.

Following the fabulous formula of previous Saturday night successes – _How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria_ and _Any Dream Will Do_ – the search for the nation’s next Oliver and Nancy will begin with auditions early in 2008. The show will broadcast on BBC One next year.

Elaine Bedell, Controller, Entertainment Commissioning, says, “We’re really pleased to be building on the success of _Any Dream Will Do_ with a new search for west end stars next year. _Oliver!_ is a much-loved British musical so we’re sure the show will unite families and melt hearts across the UK as we watch some of Britain’s best new talent take centre stage.”

_I’d Do Anything_ is a BBC Vision production for BBC ONE.

For more information visit the official BBC website – www.bbc.co.uk/oliver