Andrew Lloyd Webber's ITV Move?

4 months ago 23rd Jul 13:00

Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber is reportedly set to sign a contract with ITV.

The theatre guru is said to be considering an offer to quit the BBC - where he has made theatre star-search shows 'Any Dream Will Do', 'How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?' and 'I'd Do Anything' - to create reality shows for the rival network, which has less stringent rules over commercial links.

We've pulled it. It's just too risky. Andrew would be accused of doing the BBC show just to get publicity for 'Love Never Dies'. The BBC would then be made to look like it was giving him undue prominence.

An ITV source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Talks are at an advanced stage. Andrew's TV shows so far have been exciting and creative and we would love to strike up a relationship with him.

"At ITV, Andrew would be freed up to use more of his own works on TV - as we don't have the BBC's strict rules over commercial links."

The rumoured move comes days after the composer scrapped plans to make a new musical reality TV to find a performer for the lead role of 'Dorothy' in proposed musical 'The Wizard of Oz', because he feared accusations of self promotion.

Andrew's business partner Andre Ptaszynski said: "We've pulled it. It's just too risky. Andrew would be accused of doing the BBC show just to get publicity for 'Love Never Dies'. The BBC would then be made to look like it was giving him undue prominence. "

'Love Never Dies' is a sequel to Andrew's previous show, 'Phantom of the Opera'.