Hundreds of chaps (and even a few chapettes) applied for the role and faced Lloyd Webber's stern judging panel, Mel C, Jason Donovan and producer David Grindrod.
© ITV
Viewing figures were down from Lloyd Webber's last talent show Over The Rainbow, which aired on the BBC in 2010 and faced a mixed critical reception. But what have the Digital Spy forums been saying about The Lord's latest serving of Saturday night TV entertainment?
On the concept...
thenetworkbabe: "The concept is odd because - unlike the other shows - there's no real excuse for going on TV to cast as you don't need new young talent.
"There's at least two of the very strongest people in the West End in [the production] - who regularly have played the major male leading roles to 1000+ people. It's pretty unlikely there will be anyone who will look or sound or act better."
On Jonathan Ansell...
johartuk: "Jonathan Ansell was embarrassing with all that whining and pleading. He came across as desperate and egotistical. 'When they see me onstage singing Gethsemane, the audience will forgive me!'"
Zahl: "Am glad Jonathan Ansell's gone. He was talking back way too much to the acting coach, too full of himself."
© ITV
On new host Amanda Holden...
Rebecca87: "The only thing I miss is Graham Norton.."
johartuk: "I thought last night's first show was OK. However, I disliked Amanda Holden's voice-over. It made me miss Graham Norton, who was so much better and had the wit and the delivery."
happyTV: "I cannot stand Amanda Holden's doing the voiceover. She will ruin the show when she starts hosting it. Hate plastic botox faces."
On the judges and coaches...
Tiffani: "Thought Mel C was a good judge. It's a shame they are getting rid of her and bringing in Dawn French for the live shows. She will probably be a total flop like Ellen Degeneres was on American Idol. How can a comedienne judge people singing better than a someone who has sung for years."
reclinewithme: "My favourite coach is Donna [Soto-Morettini] the acting coach. Love her! Hope we get to see her all the way through. Can't wait for the final 10!"
johartuk: "I thought the judging panel were good. It's a pity Mel C isn't staying on for the live shows. It was also good to see ALW interacting with the judges during the audition process."
© ITV
Overall verdict...
xfactorfan: "I think the show is pretty good so far not too dissimilar from it's BBC incarnation. Hope the ratings are at the very least respectable."
northlad: "Was a pretty decent show overall, not my cup of tea really, but it had good production values and was the best thing on the box tonight. I think it will build over its run."
RecordPlayer: "This is becoming too much like X Factor. Why do they have to fly off somewhere (exotic) to sing? Can't they sing at home?"
johartuk: "I was disappointed to see so much focus on bad auditionees. One of the things I liked about the BBC shows was that they didn't do this. Overall, not a bad first episode. However, they need to keep it simple and avoid all the X Factor type stuff."
What did you make of Superstar? Share your thoughts below!
[Photo Gallery - Superstar Auditions]
Copyright: ITV
