TV hunt to find solo star

The search is on to find the solo version of Popstars

A television show to find the next solo pop sensation has been commissioned in the wake of the huge success of Popstars.

The show will give viewers the chance to pick their favourite wannabe star to be transformed into a solo artist.

ITV is making the programme, which has a working title of Pop Idol, in the hope of recreating the hysteria created by Popstars.

Hear'Say, the band created on the show, have scored a number one single which set a record for first week sales.

Their first album, out on 26 March, is also tipped to top the charts.

Former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller and Simon Cowell of RCA devised the format for Pop Idols and will be central to the nationwide search for a superstar.

Robbie

The production will be a joint enterprise between Fuller's 19 TV and Pearson Television.

Singers hoping to emulate Robbie Williams or Madonna will be invited to open auditions across the UK.

Unlike its forerunner Popstars, viewers will be the ones to pick the eventual winner.

The overall prize is a management deal with 19 Management and a recording contract with RCA.

Cowell, who launched the careers of Westlife and Five, said: "The winner of this show will be the most famous pop star in the country."

Fuller added: "This will be the biggest search for a star ever, and it will be fascinating to see who the public choose."