Barlow to pen musical drama songs

Viewers will see how Barlow creates the songs for the series

Take That's Gary Barlow is to write music for a new ITV1 drama series set in a fictional performing arts school.

He will team up with Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips who is set to choreograph the musical drama, entitled Britannia High.

The eight-part series, which follows a pupils practising for a live finale, will hit TV screens later this year.

ITV director of entertainment Paul Jackson said the show's format was unlike "anything else on British TV."

He added: "We're confident audiences are going to love it".

Live episode

Britannia High will feature a group of talented young performers who sing, dance and act in a fictional performing arts school.

Viewers will be taken on a journey from the first real life casting process through to an eight-part scripted drama series which will conclude with a spectacular live episode.

The series will be preceded by two documentaries, which will go behind the scenes to see how Phillips and theatre producer David Ian selected the stars of the show.

Viewers will also see how Barlow creates the musical numbers for the series, and how Phillips teaches her routines.