'X Factor' judge Simon Cowell has announced plans for a new television talent show, which will search for a male and female lead for a West End production of 'Grease'.
The ITV show will follow a similar format to the BBC series 'How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria'.
Contestants will audition for the chance to play the roles of Sandy and Danny in a new stage production next summer.
According to reports, BBC had hoped to land the new talent show. BBC Worldwide is already co-producing a US version for NBC, hosted by Denise Van Outen, titled 'Grease: You're The One That I Want'.
Cowell said: "As with anything you want to buy, you have got to pay a lot of money. These things don't come cheap and rightly so."
"I think it's good the BBC haven't got it so it isn't coming out of licence fee payers' pockets. I think we have done a great service," he said.
