Has Simon Cowell been watching How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? Well, with the news that Andrew Lloyd Webber is to have a sequel to the show based on looking for people to star in Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat called Any Dream Will Do, it seems Cowell wants in on the action. 

ITV have agreed a deal with Simon Cowell and his production company, Syco, to produce a talent search show, which will find a Danny and Sandy for a new version of musical Grease. ITV have confirmed that leading theatre producer, David Ian, will be a judge on the show and will also produce the stage show with partner Paul Nicholas. Simon Cowell said "We’ve been thinking about making this programme for years. Grease in my opinion is the best musical of all time and I am incredibly excited to be given this opportunity."

D:S reports that the deal was brokered by Ron Taft on behalf of James Jacobs and Warren Casey, who own the rights to the US stage show. Simon Cowell, Syco TV’s Nigel Hall, Siobhan Greene and Georgie Hurford-Jones and TalkbackThames executives Richard Holloway and Claire Horton will be executive producers.

Duncan Gray, controller of entertainment at ITV said: "Grease and ITV are a perfect fit - the hunt for the new Sandy and Danny to star in the world’s best known musical produced by the crack team behind the X-Factor." The news follows ITV's announcement earlier this week that it has signed a three year exclusivity deal with Simon Cowell until the end of 2009. That means at least another three years of that loathsome swine on our TVs! Thanks ITV... [Mof Gimmers]