Lloyd Webber to search for a Dorothy

Andrew Lloyd Webber has ruled out another BBC One West End talent search next year, confirming he will be back in 2010 to find the protagonist for The Wizard Of Oz.

Speaking to Closer, the theatre impresario said: "I've been asked to do another Saturday show, but I think this year I need to give the casting show a rest.

"There will not be another custom show with the BBC next year, [not] with me anyway. But I will do the search in 2010 to find Dorothy and possibly Toto the dog."

Lloyd Webber also complained that some of his most famous musicals may not have been made today due to the stifling influence of political correctness. His hit shows Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat were both inspired by biblical accounts.

"So many people nowadays are obsessed with things offending people," he said. "Today people say you can't do this because it will offend that community, and then you can't say this because the Muslims will be offended by it and we'll end up being talked out of it. Talked out of ideas."