Norton: 'Oliver hunt will raise births'

Graham Norton has claimed that the hunt for a new Oliver in I'd Do Anything will raise the nation's birth rate.

The show, which follows a similar format to previous BBC One talent contests How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and Any Dream Will Do, is looking for three actors to star in Oliver Twist in the West End.

Norton claimed that the hopeful contestants he has seen are so "adorable" that women around the country will start craving children of their own.

He told The Mirror: "They are adorable. Across the country 1,000 ovaries will pop. People who gave up having kids will say, 'Why don't we try again?'"

It was confirmed last month that comedy actor Barry Humphries would be joining Denise Van Outen, John Barrowman and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber on the programme's judging panel.