11 October 2023 , 21:57
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ITV is planning to launch a new version of iconic reality show ‘Popstars’ in an effort to uncover the next One Direction - according to reports.
The network aired two seasons of the talent contest back in the early 2000s - with original series Popstars leading to the creation of Hear’Say back in 2001. The series had a sequel titled Popstars: The Rivals which aimed to uncover a boy band and a girl group with the two winning bands then sent on a chart battle by releasing singles at the same time - with the show producing chart topping stars Girls Aloud in 2002, while boy band One True Voice floundered and failed after being put together on the show.
Now ITV is reportedly looking to establish a new similar show with the intention of uncovering or manufacturing a chart topping band to rival former X Factor contestants One Direction. Popstars executive producer Nigel Hall is said to be involved in the new project - which is as yet untitled.
A TV source told The Sun: “First ITV brought back Big Brother, then the BBC brought back Survivor, now this might form the holy trinity of big shows from two decades ago. There’s been a boom in popularity for programmes from that time among Millennials. But what they want is to go back to the origins of these shows.”
Popstars - the show that gave the world Hear'Say - may be getting revived by ITV (Getty Images)The source added: “X Factor may be the best known and most recent talent contest, but it was Popstars that kicked it all off.” Popstars had three judges - with Nigel Lythgoe, music promoter Nicki Chapman, music promoter, and Polydor Records A&R director Paul Adam forming the line-up.
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The show was a precursor to The X Factor which ran on ITV from 2004 until 2018 - when it was axed after viewers switched off and ratings collapsed. Popstars was also a precursor to the Pop Idol franchise - which had two seasons in the UK and uncovered music talent including Will Young, Gareth Gates, Darius Danesh and Michelle McManus.
Original winner Har'Say consisted of Danny Foster, Myleene Klass, Suzanne Shaw, Noel Sullivan, Kym Marsh and Johnny Shentall and the group exploded onto the music scene with their debut single Pure and Simple. Their debut album also topped the chart - but the group quickly fell out of favour with the public and their band disappeared as swiftly as it first appeared.
The unnamed new show reportedly aims to uncover 'the next One Direction' (Getty Images)Members of the group went on to find success in other fields - with Kym Marsh winning fans as a soap actress when she landed a role in Coronation Street. While Myleene has gone on to become a successful TV and Radio presenter - as well as becoming a political campaigner.
Popstars also produced the chart topping group Liberty X - a group formed of the failed contestants who went on to surpass original winners Hear’Say. The X Factor went on to eclipse both shows in the UK and unleashed major music stars including One Direction - who were put together by Simon Cowell in 2010. Girl group Little Mix were also manufactured by the ITV show, with the members being put together in 2011.
While winners of the series include Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke and James Arthur - while further success stories include contestants including Olly Murs, JLS, Cher Lloyd and Lucy Spraggan.