Brian Dunkleman and Ryan Seacrest are to host American Idol: The Search for a Superstar.

The FOX series premieres June 11 and runs for 22 episodes, with wannabe pop idols being whittled down in number each week as viewers vote to get rid of their least favourite contestants.

Dunkleman, a stand-up comedian, has made guest appaearances on That ‘70s Show, Friends, The Hughleys, Third Rock From The Sun, Dharma and Greg and Two Guys And Girl.

26-year-old Seacrest has a background in radio, starting off on Atlanta's WSTR/Star 94, before moving to Los Angeles' Star 98.4M in 1995, where he currently hosts the top-rated afternoon talkshow Ryan Seacrest For the Ride Home.

Stick with Digital Spy over the coming weeks for full coverage of American Idol.