POP IDOL WILL RETURN FOR REUNION SPECIAL ON ITV - BEFORE POTENTIAL REBOOT

EXCLUSIVE

ITV are set to air a special Pop Idol reunion next year to mark 20 years since the singing talent show was last on screens, TV Zone and Super TV understand.

The one-off retrospective is set to 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.

Pop Idol was hosted by Ant & Dec and ran on ITV from 2001 to 2003. The original series was judged by Neil Fox, Nicki Chapman, Pete Waterman and Simon Cowell. A total of 46 episodes were broadcast over 2 series.

Earlier this year, TV Zone and Super TV exclusively revealed that ITV were in the early stages of developing a rebooted series, also for 2023.

Whilst producers are now focusing developing the reunion special at this stage, TV Zone has been told that a reboot is still being discussed, with the potential a series to follow on from the reunion late next year.

If the Fremantle-produced reboot materialises, it's understood be known as 'Idol', a move designed to be inclusive to other music genres and acts, though this has not been confirmed.

Super TV has previously reported that screentests for potential host(s) and judges have taken place over the past month. Names in the frame are said to include Jade Thirwall, Ne-Yo, Chris Moyles, Annie Mac and Mark Ronson.

Both the reunion and any reboot have not yet been commissioned by ITV, who say nothing is confirmed at this stage, and declined to comment further.

The Pop Idol reunion special is set to air mid-late 2023 on ITV and ITVX.