Until now, Simon Cowell has been successful in keeping details of X Factor: The Musical a closely guarded secret.
Entertainment | Celebrity
Details of Simon Cowell’s X Factor: The Musical out
Cowell “in tears of laughter” at the read-through of his next pet project
- By Nicole Evatt, Daily Mail
- Published: 18:54 February 10, 2013
But I’ve learned details of the script — which is being written by comedian Harry Hill — and it is quite likely to offend current and former stars of the show.
The plot was unveiled to Cowell’s closest circle at a private afternoon read-through in London’s Soho last week.
Among the stars being targeted is Dermot O’Leary, the show’s presenter, whose character is portrayed as ‘pathetic and needy’.
There’s also a judge called Geordie, who spends most of her time sobbing into a Chelsea football jersey — a clear reference to former judge Cheryl Cole, who is from Newcastle and divorced from Chelsea ace Ashley Cole.
But former judges Sharon Osbourne and Dannii Minogue — an ex-flame of Cowell — do not feature at all and have been written out of X Factor history.
Instead the panel consists of actors playing Cowell and his pal Louis Walsh, as well as Geordie.
A source close to the production told me: “This is Simon’s pet project and he’s ecstatic with the script. He was in tears of laughter at the read-through.
“He knows how much trouble he’s going to cause. Dermot, Dannii, Cheryl and Sharon will all be furious for different reasons. This is his ultimate revenge - he doesn’t care who he offends.”
I’m also informed that Simon’s company Syco has pumped GBP10 million into the musical, which hopes to open in the West End. The story follows one contestant’s ‘journey’ on the ITV1 singing show. The character, called Shenise, is thought to be based on 2008 winner Alexandra Burke, although she will live in a caravan rather than a North London estate.
The storyline appears to be similar to the Spice Girls’ musical Viva Forever! which is based on a downtrodden contestant called Viva, who lives in a houseboat and competes in an X Factor-style talent show.
My source says: “Simon is confident his musical is going to be a huge hit. He hasn’t been this excited about a project for ages.”
More from Celebrity
More from Arts & Entertainment
Covering everything from entertainment and lifestyle
CANNES SPECIAL COVERAGE
-
A day and night in Cannes
Compiled by Nadia Eldemerdash
We take a look at life at one of the world’s most prestigous film festivals
-
DiCaprio, Spielberg open a stormy Cannes
AP
DiCaprio, joined by his ‘Gatsby’ co-star Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, declared 66th Cannes officially open
-
Cannes opens with DiCaprio, Spielberg
AP
Rain has a starring role on first day of the festival
Most Popular in Entertainment
- UAE cinema listings: May 16-22
- Ranbir: I don't want to sound like a love guru
- Is Bieber's monkey more trouble than it's worth?
- American Idol Season 12: In pictures
- My heart weeps for Sanjay Dutt: Dharmendra
- How to live like Justin Bieber in Dubai
- Zoe Saldana brushes off criticism of Simone role
- Odd couples: Bizarre celeb relationships
- Actor Sanjay Dutt to start life as an inmate
- DiCaprio, Spielberg open a stormy Cannes
Entertainment Editor's choice
-
Idol draws record low ratings
The singing reality show had a 33 per cent drop in viewership from previous year
-
Gun shots fired at Cannes film festival
A man has been arrested after causing panic at the prestigious festival in France
-
Celebrity surgeries over cancer scares
Angelina Jolie is not the first celebrity to undergo a mastectomy. Here are others...
