ITV reveals new Cowell project

ITV has agreed a deal with Simon Cowell's production company Syco and TalkbackThames to produce a talent search show, which will find a Danny and Sandy for a new version of musical Grease.

ITV have confirmed that leading theatre producer, David Ian, will be a judge on the show and will also produce the stage show with partner Paul Nicholas.

Simon Cowell said: “We’ve been thinking about making this programme for years. Grease in my opinion is the best musical of all time and I am incredibly excited to be given this opportunity.”

The deal was brokered by Ron Taft on behalf of James Jacobs and Warren Casey, who own the rights to the US stage show. Simon Cowell, Syco TV’s Nigel Hall, Siobhan Greene and Georgie Hurford-Jones and TalkbackThames executives Richard Holloway and Claire Horton will be executive producers.

Duncan Gray, controller of entertainment at ITV said: “Grease and ITV are a perfect fit - the hunt for the new Sandy and Danny to star in the world’s best known musical produced by the crack team behind the X-Factor.”

The news follows ITV's announcement earlier this week that it has signed a three year exclusivity deal with Simon Cowell until the end of 2009.