Soap stars Adam Rickitt and Shane Richie could face off in the upcoming celebrity version olf Pop Idol, according to The Sun today.

Pop Idol producer Richard Holloway told the newspaper that the pair were his ideal favourites for the show, which will air next May after shooting on American Idol 3 wraps.

“They top my wish list," said Holloway. "I hope they will be allowed some time out of their filming commitments to appear.???

Rickitt, who plays Nick Tilsley in Coronation Street, enjoyed two top 20 hits after leaving the soap for the first time in 2000 but quit his pop career after his third single only made it to number 25.

Similarly Richie, EastEnders landlord Alfie Moon, is no stranger to crooning. In the last fortnight he made it to number 2 with a charity version of Wham's 'I'm Your Man' for Children In Need.