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Let It Shine: What is the new Take That show all about?
BBC series will follow the search for a new version of Take That for a stage musical
Spandau Ballet's Martin Kemp and singer Dannii Minogue are to join the judging panel of the BBC's latest television talent show, Let It Shine.
The series will follow the "search for a star" format pioneered by the corporation in 2006 with How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? That show was an open audition for a woman to play Maria in a stage version of The Sound Of Music. The new series will follow the search for five young men to play Take That in a new "jukebox" stage musical featuring the boy band's hits.
Who else is judging?
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Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Gary Barlow, the Take That member who wrote many of the band's songs, is to be a permanent judge on the show, alongside Kemp and Minogue. US actress Amber Riley, who played Mercedes Jones in Glee, will also help judge the first stage of the competition.
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The X Factor mogul, who had Barlow on his own judging panel in 2011, 2012 and 2013, is concerned that Let It Shine might bear too close a resemblance to another of his shows, according to the Huffington Post. The impresario has a programme in South America called La Banda, which is also a search for a band. A source said Cowell would be "keeping a close eye" on the BBC's new show.
Any other Take That related talent show news?
Yes, there is – former member Robbie Williams is to take part in the judges' houses section of this year's X Factor on ITV, The Sun says.
When does Let It Shine start?
There's no precise date yet, but the eight-week run of the show is scheduled to start on BBC One in the New Year, the corporation says.
