John
12-27-2010, 10:47 AM
The lead in the upcoming Coronation Street musical will be found through a nationwide talent search, sources have claimed.
According to the News of the World, plans are being drawn up for a televised X Factor-style contest to cast the role of Rovers Return barmaid Becky McDonald, played on the soap by Katherine Kelly.
Having recently ruled herself out of reprising the part on stage, Kelly is now believed to be ITV bosses' first choice for the new show's judging panel.
An insider told the publication: "Katherine would have loved to have taken the role of Becky in the musical but she will be too central to the storylines on Corrie next year so the producer couldn't give her the time off.
"So we're using that to our advantage - to turn the search for the musical Becky into a reality show like The X Factor... [They] are ITV's two biggest shows, [so] a combination of the two makes perfect sense. It should be a big hit."
The insider continued: "Katherine will definitely be a judge because she's still very passionate about the musical and wants to be involved.Having Katherine on the judging panel will be invaluable - she knows the part so well and knows what it will take to play her every night."
Corrie: The Musical is expected to premiere in the soap's home city of Manchester in 2011, before moving to London's West End.
Source - DS.
According to the News of the World, plans are being drawn up for a televised X Factor-style contest to cast the role of Rovers Return barmaid Becky McDonald, played on the soap by Katherine Kelly.
Having recently ruled herself out of reprising the part on stage, Kelly is now believed to be ITV bosses' first choice for the new show's judging panel.
An insider told the publication: "Katherine would have loved to have taken the role of Becky in the musical but she will be too central to the storylines on Corrie next year so the producer couldn't give her the time off.
"So we're using that to our advantage - to turn the search for the musical Becky into a reality show like The X Factor... [They] are ITV's two biggest shows, [so] a combination of the two makes perfect sense. It should be a big hit."
The insider continued: "Katherine will definitely be a judge because she's still very passionate about the musical and wants to be involved.Having Katherine on the judging panel will be invaluable - she knows the part so well and knows what it will take to play her every night."
Corrie: The Musical is expected to premiere in the soap's home city of Manchester in 2011, before moving to London's West End.
Source - DS.