ITV's POP IDOL REBOOT IN DOUBT AS FOCUS TURNS TO REUNION SPECIAL

EXCLUSIVE

In March this year, TV Zone and Super TV exclusively revealed that ITV were in talks to reboot iconic music competition Pop Idol in 2023 to mark 20 years since it was last on our screens.

We exclusively revealed that ITV bosses had expressed interest before Christmas, with formal talks commencing in March with execs from international versions (including America and Sweden) and original creator Simon Fuller around the table. Rumours of the reboot were later picked up by The Sun, The Mirror and others.

Further into the Spring, TV Zone and Super TV were told that producers had held screens tests for potential host(s) and judges, with a deal “looking good” for a full reboot in 2023 under the new title ‘Idol’ – designed to be inclusive to other music genres. This was denied by ITV and Fremantle when approached by TV Zone.

It’s understood talks were held with a wide range of people from across the music industry, including singer-songwriters, DJs and music managers. Super TV revealed that names such as Ellie Goulding and MNEK were in the frame as judges.

Stars such as Clara Amfo, Roman Kemp and Fleur East were tipped as possible presenters. This was also denied by ITV and Fremantle.

Pop Idol broadcast a total of 46 episodes over 2 series on ITV in the early noughties. The original judging line-up was Neil Fox, Nicki Chapman, Pete Waterman and Simon Cowell.

The series was then put on hiatus in 2004 after Simon Cowell broke away from the show to launch The X Factor. The format then went global with American Idol, Australian Idol, Canadian Idol and Indonesian Idol to name a few.

In June, TV Zone and Super TV revealed that there were also discussions about a reunion special. The one-off retrospective would reunite the most memorable talent with former judges to reminisce and look back at the success of the hit television format created by Simon Fuller.

Reports of a reunion have been further picked up by the Daily Star and Daily Mirror this week, with fresh speculation that ITV are planning the one-off to air later this year to mark the show’s 21st anniversary.

An insider has told TV Zone that producers are now focusing on securing the reunion special, however admitted that a reboot is not yet completely off the table.

ITV denied all suggestions of a Pop Idol reboot when approached by TV Zone.