BBC aims at West End hit

BBC bosses have revealed that the channel is preparing to launch a new Saturday night entertainment show which will see celebrities performing songs f

17:35 03 September 2005

BBC bosses have revealed that the channel is preparing to launch a new Saturday night entertainment show which will see celebrities performing songs from top West End musicals.

Doctor Who actor John Barrowman will be among the stars appearing in the new BBC1 show, Simply Musicals.

Barrowman, who plays bisexual time traveller Captain Jack in the hit sci-fi series, told the Daily Mirror he was looking forward to starring in the BBCs latest project.

"It will bring the boards back to the BBC, its very exciting," the 38-year-old actor told the paper.

Other stars set to appear in the new show singing hits from top Broadway and West End musicals like "Cats" and "Guys and Dolls" include Mica Paris and former S Club singer Jon Lee.

Guest presenters including former Strictly Come Dancing champion and Eastenders star Jill Halfpenny will also perform on the new show, which will be filmed in September and October.

Producers say the four-part series will be screened early next year.

The BBC says it hopes the musical show will capture the same "live feel" of other song and dance programmes aired by the channel such as Strictly Come Dancing.

As part of efforts to recreate the atmosphere of the West End, audience members will be asked to come dressed as if they were attending a performance at a real theatre.