Hundreds of Bahrainis and Saudis are expected to take part in the Superstar Show competition today hosted by the Beirut-based Future TV at Bahrain's Gulf Hotel.

The competition is open to all Arab talents from Bahrain and neighbouring countries.

The show will follow the footsteps of the internationally acclaimed show "Pop idol".

Future TV bought the show's copyright from Fremantle Media, a large television production company in Europe.

The works team will go on tour that includes Lebanon, Jordan, Bahrain, Syria, Dubai and Egypt to audition scores of applicants.

The winning star will win a number of prizes, including a contract with international recording company, BMG.

Today's contestants will go before a jury consisting of four musical personalities; Lebanese Elias Rahbani and Tonia Merheb, Kuwaiti Abdullah Al Quoud and Egyptian Tarek Madkour.

The best ten contestants from today's round will be chosen to participate in the second round that includes the final 50 from the entire Arab world.

The contestants will face the audience where a public vote will qualify the final ten contestants who will then be judged live on air in a series of ten episodes presented from Lebanon.